In a pivotal moment for the global reparations movement, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana hosted a distinguished delegation of leading advocates and experts from the African diaspora in Accra on December 19th. The primary objective of this significant gathering was to forge a unified, intercontinental reparations agenda. The diverse group, comprising experts from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and the United States, expressed profound gratitude to President Mahama for his exemplary political leadership in championing the cause of reparations across the African continent.

During their discussions, the delegation urged President Mahama to inspire other African leaders to prioritize courage over comfort, encouraging them to align closely with civil society and affected communities throughout global Africa to demand reparatory justice. The experts shared insights into the extensive work their respective organizations have undertaken to advance the reparatory justice agenda within their various geographies and fields. They also presented President Mahama with crucial priorities slated for implementation as part of the upcoming African Union (AU) Decade of Reparations.

A central theme among the priorities was the imperative to strengthen collaboration and transcontinental coordination between both state and non-state actors. The group commended the African Union for its increasing involvement in reparatory justice efforts, underscoring the vital importance of strategic coherence and unity among Africa's political leadership. Furthermore, the experts emphasized the necessity of clearly distinguishing the unique historical nature of the trans-Atlantic trafficking and chattel enslavement of Africans, aiming to elevate the ongoing harm resulting from these unresolved historical crimes against humanity.

The delegation specifically called upon President Mahama to assume a facilitative role, ensuring that the voices of Africans and Afrodescendants globally, particularly those in the diaspora, remain at the core of all reparations advocacy initiatives. Composed of a broad spectrum of individuals, including civil society practitioners, strategists, feminists, philanthropists, academics, and affected community advocates, the group offered to support and complement the efforts of the newly constituted AU Committee of Experts on Reparations (AUCER) and other mechanisms established to pursue justice through reparations for people of African descent.

In response to the delegation's comprehensive proposals, President Mahama unequivocally expressed his unwavering commitment to the shared vision for reparative justice and to providing continental leadership in this critical area. Earlier, on December 17th, the delegation had engaged in productive discussions with the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the Presidential Envoy on Reparations, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah. These preliminary meetings focused on strategies to solidify interactions between governmental bodies and civil society groups actively involved in reparatory justice both within and outside the continent.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Ghana’s steadfast commitment to the reparatory justice agenda, reiterating the nation’s continued dedication to championing the cause of justice for Africans and Afrodescendants through reparations. The Global Group of Experts on Reparations, responsible for these high-level engagements, is a collective of diverse professionals—including practitioners, political leaders, academics, advocates, and philanthropists—all united in their mission to advance reparatory justice for Africans and People of African Descent from various global regions. The significant meetings with both the Foreign Minister and the President were expertly facilitated by the African Union-ECOSOCC, Trust Africa, and Reform Initiatives.