Following the historic UN General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/80/250), realized by a coalition of the AU, CARICOM and the African Diaspora, which declared the enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity, Ghana asked the critical question: What next?
It was against this backdrop that Ghana, in her resolute leadership role, in June this year, convened the extraordinary Next Steps Conference in Accra. The gathering was a clarion call to action, a convergence of visionaries, scholars and champions of justice.
Following the Accra Next Steps Conference, Ghana has established a High-Level Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice, a Global Experts Panel on the Restitution of Cultural Heritage, and a Global Legal Panel on Reparatory Justice. This was the beginning of a new chapter in our collective journey towards reparatory justice.
Our journey, therefore, does not end here. Ghana, the birthplace of our collective struggle, will host a high-level side event in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly Session on 23rd September to receive progress reports from the established Panels. This is a symbolic rebirth, an invitation for the world to bear witness to our progress and the momentum of our cause.
As we gather under the auspices of the United Nations, under the watchful gaze of the international community, we seek not only to report on our achievements but to catalyze a global dialogue. We urge all nations to join us in this noble endeavour, to stand in solidarity as we continue to lead the charge for justice, restitution and dignity for Africa and people of African descent worldwide.
This is our clarion call to arms, a call that bears testimony to the enduring power of unity, justice and the unbendable human spirit.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana
