Joseph Wemakor: A voice for civic freedoms at the upcoming Uganda Conference
As the landscape of civic freedoms continues to shift in Africa, Joseph Kobla Wemakor emerges as a vital voice in the fight for human rights.
The distinguished Ghanaian journalist and human rights advocate is gearing up to make a significant impact at a regional conference in Kampala, Uganda, on August 5-6, 2024.
This event, organized by the Defenders Protection Initiative and Civic Advisory Hub, will tackle the complex interplay between counter-terrorism measures and the preservation of civil liberties, under the theme “TOGETHER - Countering Financing of Terrorism While Safeguarding Civic Space.”
Wemakor’s role as the Convener of the Ghana Civil Society Organizations Platform on SDGs (Youth Sub-platform) and Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana underscores his unwavering dedication to empowering marginalized voices and challenging injustices across the continent.
His advocacy has positioned him as a key figure in discussions that seek to uphold democratic values amid a climate of increasing repression.
The conference aims to gather Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) and stakeholders to devise strategies that confront the multifaceted challenges posed by financial crimes while safeguarding civil liberties. As many African nations grapple with laws that restrict civil society and freedom of expression under the pretext of national security, Wemakor's insights are both timely and crucial.
His invitation to this pivotal gathering follows his recent participation in the Pan Africa Human Rights and Social Justice Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, where he engaged in meaningful dialogues after being invited by Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in counter-terrorism.
This experience amplifies his perspective that counter-terrorism initiatives must not compromise civic freedoms.
At the Kampala conference, Wemakor plans to advocate for an inclusive approach to governance that prioritizes human rights, even in the face of security concerns.
He believes that collaboration among NPOs is vital for building resilience against threats to civic spaces.
As discussions unfold, stakeholders are hopeful that the sessions led by influential figures like Wemakor will generate actionable solutions to the pressing challenges facing civil society in Africa today.
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