Accra Hosts High-Level Conference on Reparatory Justice and Historical Accountability

Ghana has hosted a landmark High-Level Consultative Conference advancing global efforts toward reparatory justice, following the adoption of UN Resolution A/RES/80/250. The resolution recognises the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.

Held from June 17 to 19 in Accra, the three-day conference convened Heads of State and Government, ministers, diplomats, academics, civil society actors, and reparations advocates from Africa and the diaspora. It was hosted under President John Dramani Mahama, African Union Champion on Advancing the Cause of Justice and Reparations for Africans.

The conference builds on the historic UN resolution of March 25, 2026 — the first General Assembly resolution dedicated exclusively to slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

Day 1: June 17
Senior officials and technical experts met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finalize a draft outcome document for consideration.

Day 2: June 18
The high-level segment opened at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City with keynote addresses from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. of Liberia, President Carlos Manuel Vila Nova of São Tomé and Príncipe, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, and President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana.

Remarks were also delivered by UNESCO Assistant Director-General Lidia Arthur Brito, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, former French Minister of Justice Christiane Taubira, and Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission.

A key outcome was the establishment of three global panels: the Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice, the Expert Panel on Restitution of Cultural Artefacts, and the Panel of Legal Experts for Reparatory Justice.

Plenary discussions included heads of state representatives, ministers, regional bodies, international institutions, youth groups, and other stakeholders on justice, restitution, and reconciliation.

Day 3: June 19
The conference concludes today with panel discussions, consideration of the outcome document, and Juneteenth commemoration activities at Christiansborg Castle, Osu.

By Robert Dela Mawuenyegah & Celestine Edem Gbologah