Accra, the capital of Ghana has emerged as a pivotal hub for international diplomacy, welcoming representatives from over 80 nations for the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice.
Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the high-profile event will feature leaders including the Presidents of Senegal, Namibia, Liberia, and São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as the Prime Minister of Barbados and the Vice Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea.
The Speaker of the Algerian Parliament and various ministers from around the globe are also expected to attend.
Convened by the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the gathering is seen as a significant advancement in the ongoing global dialogue surrounding historical justice and reparations.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Minister Ablakwa highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “The Presidents of Senegal, Namibia, Liberia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Prime Minister of Barbados, Vice Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Speaker of the Algerian Parliament and Ministers from over 80 countries arrive in Ghana for the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice convened by President John Dramani Mahama.”
The conference follows closely on the heels of the adoption of UN Resolution A/RES/80/250, a landmark decision that has transformed international discussions regarding the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impact.
“The convening comes three months after the historic adoption of UN Resolution A/RES/80/250 declaring the transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity,” the minister remarked.
Set against a backdrop of heightened global awareness, the Accra conference aims to solidify commitments, create multilateral avenues, and transition reparatory justice from an abstract principle to a tangible global policy.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong