President John Dramani Mahama has called for a more inclusive global approach to reparatory justice, saying that recognition of historical injustices must translate into sustained international action.
Speaking at the opening of the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice in Accra on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Mahama said the adoption of a recent UN resolution on slavery and its legacy should be seen as the beginning of a longer process, not its conclusion.
“The adoption of the resolution was never intended to mark the end of the journey,” he said, adding “It was intended to provide the foundation for a more meaningful process of engagement, reflection, and action.”
He stressed that the effectiveness of reparatory justice efforts depends on widening participation among nations and institutions, rather than limiting engagement to a narrow group of actors.
“The pursuit of historical justice is not strengthened by narrowing the circle of participation. It is strengthened by expanding it,” he said.
Mahama urged stakeholders to prioritise dialogue, openness, and humility in addressing the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, noting that differing historical and political perspectives should not prevent cooperation.
“It is strengthened when those who may approach these issues from different historical, political, or legal perspectives nevertheless choose dialogue over silence and engagement over distance,” he said.
He said recognition of historical injustice creates responsibility for collective action, adding that the consequences of slavery continue to demand coordinated international engagement.
“We are here because recognition creates responsibility, and because the enduring consequences of this history continue to demand thoughtful, coordinated, and sustained international engagement,” he said.
The president pointed to Ghana’s historical landmarks, including former slave routes and fortifications such as castles and dungeons, as enduring physical evidence of the transatlantic slave trade and its global impact.
He said these sites connect Africa to the Americas and other regions whose identities were shaped by the forced movement of enslaved Africans, noting that descendants of those affected now return to Ghana as global leaders, scholars, and citizens.
Mahama also highlighted the often overlooked experiences of enslaved women and girls, saying their suffering was frequently excluded from historical records and must be properly acknowledged in reparatory justice discussions.
“Their suffering was often concealed from the official record, leaving them victims not only of the extinction, but also of historical erasure,” he said.
The conference brings together heads of state, policymakers, academics and diaspora representatives to discuss the next steps in advancing reparations and addressing the long-term legacy of slavery.
