Addis Ababa: President John Dramani Mahama has supported the African Union’s (AU) call for Reparatory Justice for Africans and People of African Descent. He emphasized that the AU’s decision highlights Africa’s collective resolve to confront historical injustices and their enduring impacts on generations of Africans and people of African descent.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama expressed these sentiments at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme of the session was ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.’ President Mahama highlighted the significance of this moment as a critical step in the ongoing pursuit of justice and equity for Africans worldwide.
At the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU in February 2024, the Heads of State and Governments made a pivotal decision to dedicate the year 2025 to the cause of Reparatory Justice. This decision aligns with the broader struggle for liberation, unity, and socio-economic empowerment outlined in Agenda 2063, which envisions an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous Africa.
President Mahama underscored the transatlantic slave trade as one of the most egregious crimes against humanity, forcibly displacing over 12.5 million Africans and leading to the deaths of at least two million during the Middle Passage. The enduring legacy of this brutal system, along with colonialism, apartheid, genocide, and neo-colonial exploitation, continues to impact African societies deeply.
He pointed out that descendants of enslaved Africans still face economic disparities, social inequality, systemic discrimination, and racial prejudices. Addressing these challenges requires more than acknowledgment; it demands action. The President highlighted the profound economic impact of colonialism on Africa, noting that historical estimates suggest the continent lost trillions of dollars in human and material resources due to colonial exploitation.
President Mahama explained how the forced extraction of wealth, including minerals, cash crops, and labor, deprived African nations of the capital and infrastructure necessary for sustainable development. Colonial policies stifled industrial growth, leading to a dependency on foreign economies that persists today. The systemic plundering of Africa’s natural resources and the disruption of traditional governance structures have resulted in lasting consequences, exacerbating poverty and inequality throughout the continent.
In November 2023, Ghana hosted the Accra Reparations Conference, a historic gathering of African heads of state, scholars, and representatives of the global African diaspora to advance the reparations movement. The conference reaffirmed the urgent need for comprehensive reparatory justice and laid the foundation for stronger advocacy and policy frameworks.
The 2025 AU theme of the year serves as a call to galvanize efforts towards reparatory justice, aiming to restore the dignity, rights, and well-being of Africans and their descendants. Reparations involve not only financial compensation but also restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition for past abuses. Additionally, it encompasses truth-telling, historical accountability, and restoring agency to marginalized communities.
President Mahama stressed that the call for reparations extends beyond financial redress to address structural inequalities, ensure educational and economic opportunities, reclaim cultural heritage, and amplify the voice of Africa and the diaspora communities on the global stage.