Accra Conference Elevates Global Push for Slavery Reparations

A three‑day conference on slavery and reparatory justice held in Ghana’s capital last week is resonating across Africa and the Caribbean, feeding into worldwide debates on historical accountability, reparations and inequality.

Held at Christiansborg Castle—also known as Osu Castle—a historic fortress overlooking the Atlantic that once served as a holding point for enslaved Africans, actors and students re‑enacted scenes from the slave trade, tracing the harrowing journey endured by millions of African men, women and children.

The “Next Steps” conference gathered heads of state, policymakers, academics, legal experts, civil‑society groups and representatives of the African diaspora to examine the long‑term consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and explore pathways toward reparatory justice.

The meeting followed the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a landmark resolution recognizing the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel slavery as among the gravest crimes against humanity. Backed by 123 countries, it was the UN’s first resolution devoted exclusively to slavery and the transatlantic trade.

Delegates produced a 19‑point framework calling for formal apologies from nations and institutions that profited from slavery, the creation of reparations mechanisms, the return of cultural artefacts and human remains, debt relief, educational initiatives and stronger international cooperation.

“The enduring consequences of slavery continue to manifest through structural inequalities, economic disparities, systemic racism, cultural erasure and development challenges,” the conference’s outcome document stated.

Mubarak Aliyu, a West Africa and Sahel political and security risk analyst, told Al Jazeera that “the Accra meeting revives the focus on the important question of reparation in financial terms, restitution of looted cultural artefacts, and the education of Africans on the horrors of the Atlantic slave trade.”

Calls for accountability

Countries most frequently cited in reparations debates include Portugal, Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands, all of which played major roles in the transatlantic slave trade. Historians estimate that Portugal transported more enslaved Africans than any other European power, accounting for roughly two‑fifths of the trade, while Britain dominated in the 18th century. France, Spain and the Netherlands also profited extensively from slave‑trading networks and plantation economies in the Americas.

Calls for reparations have gained momentum, especially among African states and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which has crafted an agenda that includes formal apologies, development support, debt relief and programmes aimed at addressing the long‑term legacy of slavery and colonialism.

Responses from former colonial powers have varied. The Dutch government formally apologized in 2022 for the Netherlands’ role in slavery. France recognized slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001. Britain has expressed regret but has not committed to reparations. While several European governments have acknowledged the historical injustice, they have generally stopped short of endorsing direct financial compensation.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking by video, acknowledged the historical reality of slavery and said reparations should form part of an ongoing process of recognition and engagement.

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said the conference aimed to move the debate beyond symbolism toward concrete action. He announced the creation of three international bodies focused on reparatory justice, cultural restitution and legal affairs to advance the agenda.

Aliyu added, “While meetings like this are not new, they demonstrate the continued effort of African governments to demand accountability as a precursor to more serious reparations claims. Ultimately, success will require more African nations to join together in a unified continental front.”

A legacy that endures

Supporters argue that slavery’s legacy is not merely historical. Scholars, activists and policymakers contend that centuries of enslavement, colonialism and exploitation continue to shape wealth, development and opportunity across Africa and the African diaspora.

A key point raised at the conference was that inequalities rooted in slavery and colonialism still influence global economic structures today, reflected in persistent gaps in wealth, investment, development outcomes and access to international financial systems.

The event also highlighted growing cooperation between African and Caribbean countries, which are increasingly coordinating their positions to strengthen calls for reparatory justice on the international stage. This alignment is seen as a way to give greater political weight to demands that have long struggled to gain traction.

From declarations to action

Significant challenges remain. There is no international consensus on what reparations should look like in practice, with proposals ranging from financial compensation and debt relief to cultural restitution, educational investment and institutional reforms.

Some observers say the Accra meeting helped push reparatory justice back onto the global agenda after the UN resolution. Others note that turning declarations into policy will require overcoming political resistance, legal obstacles and implementation questions.

Civil‑society groups, historians and diaspora organisations continue to campaign for cultural restitution, education reform and reparatory measures. For many, gatherings like the Accra conference are vital not only for shaping policy proposals but also for keeping the issue visible internationally.

For campaigners, however, the conference was never intended as a one‑off event. It is viewed as part of a longer effort to secure recognition of historical injustices, encourage acknowledgment of responsibility, and build international support for measures addressing slavery’s enduring consequences.

As delegates departed Accra, the message was clear: the debate over slavery, responsibility and reparatory justice is far from over.

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