President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the need for action to achieve justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations.
In his view, the pursuit of justice for victims of the dreaded transatlantic slave trade requires stronger legal and institutional mechanisms at national, regional, and international levels.
“We must continue to advocate for stronger legal and institutional mechanisms…to ensure that justice for the historical trauma inflicted on global Africa is not just a conversation, but a reality,” he stated.
President Mahama made this call when he launched the African Union (AU) theme of the year 2025 at the just-ended 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday.
The theme for the year; “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations” is intended to address historical injustices of the slave trade and their consequences on generations of Africans and people of African descent.
The theme which seeks to mobilise political will, foster partnerships, engage stakeholders, elevate awareness, encourage dialogue, and ensure an end to the culture of silence and denial on racism and colonialism, aligns with the AU’s vision of Agenda 2063 for an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous continent.
According to President Mahama, the Reparations Conference held in Accra in November 2023 reaffirmed the need for comprehensive advocacy and policy frameworks to address the effects of slave trade.
Achieving justice for the victims of slave trade, President Mahama explained requires collaboration among European member states, regional economic communities, the global African diaspora, civil society organisations, academia, the private sector, and international partners.
To President Mahama, the effects of the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, apartheid, genocide, and neo-colonial exploitation, have resulted in economic disparities, social inequality, systemic discrimination, and racial prejudices against people of African descent.
In his estimation, the transatlantic slave trade which he said was one of the most heinous crimes against humanity, has left more than 12.5 million Africans forcibly displaced and an estimated two million perishing during the passage alone.
He said the regrettable legacy of the transatlantic slave trade has left deep and unforgettable cast on the fabric of African societies.
“The economic impact of colonialism on Africa has been profound, with the continent losing trillions of dollars in both human and material resources due to colonial exploitation,” President Mahama said.
Descendants of this injustice, he stressed continue to face systemic economic, social, racial prejudices which demand action if these were to be addressed.
“We must continue to advocate for stronger legal and institutional mechanisms at the national, regional, and international levels to ensure that justice for the historical trauma inflicted on global Africa is not just a conversation, but a reality,” President Mahama stressed.
Ghana, President Mahama said stands ready to support the critical initiative, urging collective action towards a future that is fair, just, and equitable for all people of African descent.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
