Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticised remarks by the Leader of the Conservative Party in the UK, Kemi Badenoch, over her stance on reparations.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr Ablakwa described Badenoch’s suggestion that the United Kingdom should have opposed Ghana’s resolution on reparatory justice as inconsistent with historical facts.
He pointed to Britain’s actions after the abolition of slavery, noting that compensation was paid to slave owners rather than to the enslaved people who suffered under the system.
According to him, UK taxpayers financed these payments, a financial burden that lasted for generations. He explained that the initial £20 million compensation package has, in today’s terms, risen to more than £2 billion, all funded by taxpayers.
Mr Ablakwa questioned why concerns about taxpayer burden are now being raised in relation to reparations, when similar concerns were not expressed over compensation to slave owners.
He argued that while those who benefited from slavery were compensated, the victims and their descendants received nothing, describing the situation as deeply unfair.
The Foreign Affairs Minister said it was unfortunate that such historical context appears to be overlooked in current debates and urged Badenoch to reconsider her position.
He maintained that discussions on reparatory justice must be grounded in historical truth, fairness, and recognition of the lasting impact of slavery on African societies and their diaspora.
