Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rallied people of African descent to transform Africa’s narrative, often marred by associations with disease, hunger, poverty, and mass migration. Speaking at the inaugural reparations conference in Accra, he emphasized the continent’s potential as a hub for investment and progress. The conference’s theme, focusing on justice and reparations, aligns with the African Union’s drive for unity and acknowledgement of past injustices.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the interconnected destiny of black people globally with Africa’s future. He argued for reparations similar to those granted to Holocaust victims, asserting the long-standing impacts of the trans-atlantic slave trade. He also called for formal apologies from European nations involved in the slave trade, acknowledging the profound damage it inflicted on African populations and culture.
Additionally, the president stressed the importance of returning African cultural properties. He cited Ghana’s successes in reclaiming stolen artefacts, including royal relics and the head of Nana Badu II. These returns, he noted, not only reconnect Africa with its past but also foster better relations with the international community, particularly Europe.
The conference, attended by African heads of state representatives, ambassadors, and diplomats, marks a significant step in Africa’s journey toward healing and justice. Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, and Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, lauded Ghana’s leadership in addressing the legacies of slavery and colonialism.
According to a report by the Daily Graphic, President Akufo-Addo concluded by vowing to prevent the recurrence of such dehumanizing conditions, underlining the need for collective action and remembrance to move forward.
