Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called for a broader approach to reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism, arguing that efforts to address historical injustices should extend beyond direct financial payments.
The president, who was addressing the country’s presidential press corps, said countries involved in the slave trade and colonial rule could help address their lasting effects through cooperation in education, healthcare, economic development and debt relief.
He welcomed growing international support for reparations, including a United Nations General Assembly resolution that received 123 votes. He also cited the Church of England’s £100 million fund to address the legacy of its historical links to the slave trade.
Mahama further called for reforms to the international financial system, saying high borrowing costs and debt repayments were placing pressure on developing economies. He said Ghana would need nearly 50 billion cedis, equivalent to about $5 billion, to meet its debt obligations next year.
He said he intends to use Ghana’s expected role in the African Union’s leadership in 2027 to advance discussions on reparations, debt relief and development financing, alongside the United Kingdom’s presidency of the G20.
