Ghana Hosts Global Conference on Slavery Reparations

Ghana hosted a global conference on slavery reparations, bringing together African and Caribbean leaders to turn UN-backed support into practical action. Officials discussed compensation, debt relief, and returning cultural artefacts, while Ghana announced panels to explore legal and financial steps toward reparations.

Ghana hosted a landmark global conference on slavery reparations on Thursday, bringing together political leaders, policymakers, and delegates from across Africa and the Caribbean in an effort to translate rising international support into concrete steps toward reparatory justice.
The conference comes in the wake of a recent United Nations resolution that described the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity.” Although non-binding, the resolution marked a significant shift in global discourse by formally acknowledging the scale and lasting impact of slavery while calling on countries involved in the historical trade to engage in restitution and compensation discussions. The measure was adopted with the backing of 123 UN member states and has since strengthened calls for reparations worldwide.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Ablakwa said the reparations movement has gained “unprecedented momentum” since the adoption of the resolution in March. He emphasised that the global conversation had moved beyond recognition of historical injustice toward active consideration of accountability and redress mechanisms for affected communities and nations.
Ablakwa also highlighted Ghana’s symbolic and historical role in the transatlantic slave trade, noting that the country once served as a major hub for the forced export of enslaved Africans. He said Ghana is now repositioning itself as a centre for healing and reparative justice, describing the shift as moving “from being a crime scene to a sanctuary for healing and reparative justice.” In recent years, Ghana has also strengthened ties with the African diaspora, granting citizenship to more than 1,000 people as part of its broader outreach and reconciliation efforts.
President John Mahama, who has been a leading advocate for reparations at the international level, used the occasion to announce the establishment of three dedicated working panels. These include an advisory panel composed of heads of state, a technical expert group focused on restitution frameworks, and a legal panel tasked with examining the judicial and constitutional dimensions of reparations claims. He said the goal is to move from symbolic recognition to practical and actionable policies.
Mahama stressed that while history cannot be changed, global actors have a responsibility to confront it honestly and address its consequences. He urged participants to demonstrate the political will necessary to transform acknowledgement into meaningful action that could benefit affected communities.
The conference featured high-profile participation from leaders including those of Barbados, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Namibia, and Liberia, reflecting strong regional interest in advancing the reparations agenda. Discussions focused on potential mechanisms such as compensation funds for affected populations, debt cancellation or restructuring for African nations, and the restitution of cultural artefacts taken during the colonial era.
Participants also explored how diaspora engagement could be strengthened to support development initiatives and cultural reconnection efforts. Some delegates argued that reparations should go beyond financial compensation to include structural reforms aimed at addressing long-term inequalities rooted in slavery and colonialism.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, participants such as Mariam Abdoulaye from Burkina Faso emphasised expectations for structured compensation systems involving former colonial powers or institutions historically linked to the slave trade. She also highlighted broader demands including debt relief and the return of looted cultural heritage.
The conference is expected to continue for several days, with further discussions aimed at developing practical frameworks for implementation. Organisers say the ultimate objective is to build international consensus on how reparations can move from political discussion to enforceable global action.