The Government of Ghana has praised Emmanuel Macron for what it described as a “historic and courageous” decision to engage in discussions on reparatory justice for the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.
In a statement issued by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities commended the French leader’s “honest, open, conciliatory and exemplary leadership” after he announced new anti-slavery measures and signaled France’s readiness to work with Ghana on reparations initiatives during events marking the 25th anniversary of France’s recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity.
Accra described the move as a significant milestone in the global push for acknowledgement, reconciliation and justice over centuries of slavery and colonial exploitation.
The Ghanaian government said it is looking forward to deeper cooperation with France through a proposed Ghana-France Scientific Commission expected to focus on historical research, documentation and institutional collaboration on slavery and reparatory justice.
John Dramani Mahama, who currently serves as the African Union Champion on Reparatory Justice, also welcomed President Macron’s acceptance of an invitation to attend the upcoming “Next Steps” High-Level Conference on Reparatory Justice scheduled for June in Accra.
The summit is expected to gather leaders, diplomats, academics and activists from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas to push for concrete international policies on reparations beyond symbolic recognition.
