Ghana’s Dr Wemakor to address International seminar on North Korean human rights

Accra, July 16, GNA-The Founder and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, will on Friday, July 16, deliver a keynote address at the International Seminar on Enhancing Human Rights Activities in North Korea in Accra.

Organized by the World Institute of Intercultural Services (WIIS) with support from Korea’s Ministry of Unification, the seminar aims to amplify global dialogue on North Korea’s human rights violations, uniquely integrating African perspectives.

The address which is themed “Promoting International Pressure and Policy Recommendations,” will outline actionable strategies to foster global and African solidarity in tackling North Korea’s human rights challenges.

His participation highlights his growing stature as a global thought leader in human rights advocacy, bringing his extensive experience in mobilizing international support to this critical conversation.

A renowned Ghanaian human rights advocate and journalist, Dr. Wemakor is celebrated for empowering women, girls, children, and marginalized communities.

He leads a, frontline NGO collaborating with journalists, lawyers, and activists to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

His leadership and advocacy work extend to national, regional, and international platforms—where he is recognized as a speaker and advocate on human rights issues.

He has been invited to speak at numerous prestigious conferences, seminars, and workshops across the globe, sharing his insights on critical human rights topics.

Notable platforms where he has contributed include the International Seminar on South Korea: COVID19 and Human Rights Abuses, the Pan African Human Rights and Social Justice Conference (Nairobi, Kenya), and the 2020 UN High-Level Political Forum.

Within Ghana, he serves as the Convener of the Youth Sub-Platform of the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs and is a member of its Steering Committee.

This coalition, established in October 2015 and comprising over 500 civil society organizations, is committed to supporting Ghana’s pursuit of the SDGs.

The Youth Sub-Platform, which he leads, works to deepen youth engagement, raise SDG awareness, and promote inclusive development.

In February 2025, Dr. Wemakor was elected to a Technical Advocacy Committee dedicated to advancing Ghana’s Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Bill—an important legislative initiative unveiled during recent CSOs Zonal Consultations in Accra.

His work with the United Nations Information Center (UNIC Accra) has further refined his expertise in international cooperation and governance.

In 2020, Dr. Wemakor’s advocacy efforts gained international recognition through HRRG’s media campaign addressing human rights abuses in South Korea amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlighting over 5,500 reported violations, including the unjust arrest of Mr. Lee Man-hee, the founder of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Christ, and the harassment of over 220,000 believers worldwide, he mobilized stakeholders across nations, including activists, journalists, civil society groups, the United Nations, and other international bodies.

This campaign played a pivotal role in securing Mr. Lee’s release and earned HRRG widespread acclaim.

Dr. Wemakor’s dedication to gender equality and social justice has been recognized worldwide, which include an interview in International Business Woman Magazine (October 2020), achievements such as the recipient of the prestigious 5th UN Global Entreps Award, the Africa Peace Advocate Award (2023), and listing among Ghana’s 100 Most Impactful Changemakers (2024).

He was also a finalist for the African Human Rights Defenders Shield Award, earned fourth place in the Africans Rising Activism Award (2020), and received an Honorary Award for Peace, Security, and Education (2021).going Journalism, Dr. Wemakor has received accolades, including the GIJ Most Influential Student Media Personnel Award (2016), the National Migration Media Award (2018), and recognition in the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) 60th Anniversary Media Contest for his outstanding reporting on the UN SDGs.

His contributions to critical reports, such as the World Bank’s 2nd Edition of the Equality of Opportunity for Sexual and Gender Minorities (EQOSOGI) Report, reflect his dedication to equality and human dignity.

In 2024, he earned a Doctorate in Executive Leadership in Humanity (DEL) from International Kingdom University in Florida and was honored with the Global Doctoral Humanitarian and Ministerial Excellence Award.

The upcoming WIIS seminar will feature distinguished speakers, panel discussions, and workshops fostering international collaboration.

Professor Park Hung Kook, CEO of WIIS, will inaugurate the event by speaking on “Exposing the State of Human Rights Abuses in North Korea,” while a former UN ambassador of South Korea and North Korean defector Ms. Kim Bomin will share powerful insights and testimonies.

GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba