Ghana’s president called for financial reparations for the descendants of African slaves in Africa and the diaspora, urging unity among African and Caribbean leaders to address the enduring impacts of the transatlantic slave trade.
Nana Akufo-Addo made the appeal Tuesday at the opening of the Accra Reparations Conference, a four-day gathering of heads of state, scholars, legal experts and civil society representatives.
He highlighted the profound effects of the slave trade on both the continent and the African diaspora, encompassing economic, cultural and psychological spheres.
Akufo-Addo stressed that the progress of nations was hindered during the slavery period, and now is the time for the 20 million descendants of the victims to receive reparations.
“The entire period of slavery meant that our progress — economically, culturally and psychologically — was stifled,” he said.
He also reiterated the need for the restitution of African cultural properties taken during the slave trade, underscoring the importance of justice and recognizing the overdue nature of reparations.
It was not the first time that Akufo-Addo has called for reparations. He initially raised the topic during his speech at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in September.
The Accra Reparations Conference, themed “Building a united front to advance the cause of justice and the payment of reparations to Africans,” sought to develop a strategy guiding African countries and the diaspora in their pursuit of reparations.