President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to take decisive action toward reparatory justice.
He has emphasised that addressing historical injustices requires concrete steps, not just acknowledgment.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mahama noted that the AU’s theme for 2025, ‘Justice for Africans and the People of African Descent Through Reparations,’ sets a transformative agenda for the continent.
“The Africa we want, a vision for an integrated, peaceful, and prosperous continent, remains our guiding principle. The transatlantic slave trade was one of the most heinous crimes against humanity. Spanning approximately 400 years and forcibly displacing more than 12.5 million Africans, it is estimated that at least 2 million of our compatriots perished during the Middle Passage alone. The legacy of this brutal system, along with colonialism, apartheid, genocide, and neocolonial exploitation, has left deep and enduring scars on the fabric of our societies,” he emphasised.
Mahama stated that acknowledging these historical wrongs is not sufficient, adding that tangible action must follow.
“Addressing these challenges requires more than recognition, it demands action. The economic impact of colonialism on Africa has been profound. Historical estimates suggest that the continent lost trillions of dollars in human and material resources due to colonial exploitation.
“The forced extraction of wealth, including minerals, cash crops, and labour, deprived African nations of the capital and infrastructure needed for sustainable development. Colonial policies created an economic dependency that persists to this day,” he explained.
He referenced the Accra Reparations Conference held in November 2023, where African heads of state, scholars, and representatives from the global African diaspora came together to advance the reparations movement.
“The outcomes of this conference serve as a guiding pillar for our collective efforts moving forward. The 2025 AU theme, therefore, is a call to galvanize efforts toward reparatory justice. It is an appeal to ensure that the dignity, rights, and well-being of Africans and their descendants are fully restored,” he stated.
Mahama further clarified that reparations extend beyond financial compensation to include restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees of non-repetition.
“It is also about truth-telling, historical accountability, and the restoration of agency to those who have been marginalized for centuries. The call for reparations, while including financial redress, goes beyond that to address structural inequalities, ensure educational and economic opportunities, reclaim cultural heritage, and amplify the voices of Africa and its diaspora communities on the global stage,” he said.
He also called for multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive this initiative.
“Today’s pre-launch event serves as a crucial platform for constructive consultation, dialogue, and partnership. We welcome the participation of AU Member States, regional economic communities, the global African diaspora, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and international partners in this transformative endeavour,” he said.
Mahama concluded by urging unity and commitment from African leaders and stakeholders.
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In the meantime, watch the story of the Ghanaian team that rode motorbikes from Accra to Dakar and back in 17 days, below: