CDD-Ghana Senior Fellow receives Franko-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law
The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) celebrates its Senior Fellow Emerita Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, for being honored as a recipient of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In a colorful ceremony at the residence of the French Ambassador in Accra on January 22, 2024, Professor Manuh joined an accomplished list together with 11 other individuals around the world who in 2023 showed outstanding commitments to promoting and advancing the boundaries of human rights and the rule of law in their home countries and beyond.
Since 2016, the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law have honored individuals at the helm of non-governmental organizations; who contribute to causes of human rights and show commitments to human dignity and the inalienable human rights of all people.
The recipients who are rigorously selected by a joint committee of German and French officials are dedicated to the cause of justice, political involvement, and honest reporting, often sacrificing their freedom, and sometimes even their lives, under the most terrible conditions.
In her acceptance speech, Professor Manuh recollected the highlights of her work in the broad areas of human rights, the promotion of gender and minority rights, and citizen engagement. Significantly, she acknowledged the role that her membership in larger groups presented her with the opportunity to offer her expertise meriting the recognition: ‘The Big 18’, ABANTU for Development, the Media Foundation for West Africa, the Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), the STAR-Ghana Foundation, the Center for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) and the Center for Migration Studies (CMS), both at the University of Ghana, and several coalitions and community organizations, including the LGBTQ+ community.
The other 2023 prize winners include Fadel Abdulghany from Syria, Marianela Balbi Ochoa from Venezuela, Chow Hang-Tung, SAR Hong Kong from China, Danièle Darlan from the Central African Republic, Choman Hardi from Iraq, Gisèle Khoury from Lebanon, Hanna Machińska from Poland, Anny Modi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Oluwaseun Osowobi from Nigeria and Valery Wichman from Cook Islands.
The Center congratulates Emerita Professor Manuh on her remarkable contributions to the advancement of human rights and says ayekoo!