By: Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has said that true reparative justice for Africa must include debt cancellation, monetary compensation and the return of stolen African artefacts, describing them as essential steps in addressing the long history of injustice suffered by Africans and people of African descent.
Speaking at the Diaspora Summit 2025 on Friday, December 19, 2025 in Accra, President Mahama said Africa has endured slavery, colonialism, genocide and apartheid, and these crimes must be openly acknowledged by the international community. He stressed that reparations should move beyond words to clear and practical actions that can restore dignity and justice.
The President recalled remarks by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, who said a “conspiracy of silence” had reduced the true horror of what Africans went through. He announced that Ghana will move a motion at the United Nations next year to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as the greatest crime against humanity.
According to him, the motion is expected to receive strong support from African countries and the global African diaspora. He said Africa is demanding the creation of legal, institutional and international mechanisms to advance reparative justice.
President Mahama explained that reparations must include debt cancellation, financial compensation, the return of stolen cultural artefacts, institutional reforms, and changes to the global economic system to correct long-standing imbalances.
Beyond material losses, he highlighted the emotional and psychological damage caused by centuries of oppression. He cited studies on epigenetics, which show that trauma can be passed from one generation to another, and said Africans continue to feel the impact of historical injustices on their health and well-being.
Quoting Ghanaian-British actress and writer Michaela Coel, President Mahama said Africa must not allow fear of the future to hold it back. He declared confidently that “the future is African”, urging Africans and the diaspora to remain united.
He called for stronger unity, saying Africans must be more intentional about unity than past oppressors were about division. He added that a united Africa and diaspora can achieve anything.
President Mahama concluded by officially declaring the Diaspora Summit 2025 open, wishing participants fruitful discussions and renewed commitment to justice, healing and transformation for Africa and its people.
