Ghana Slavery Apology: Descendants Seek Substantial Reparations Beyond Words Accra, Ghana – The “Next Steps “conference on slavery and reparatory justice concluded in Accra, Ghana, from June 17 to 19, 2026.
The event, attended by heads of state, policymakers, legal experts, civil society groups, and representatives of the African diaspora, has reignited a debate on the adequacy of apologies for the transatlantic slave trade.
The United Nations General Assembly’s landmark resolution, adopted in 2026 and backed by 123 countries, recognizes the transatlantic slave trade as among the gravest crimes against humanity. This resolution has been followed by a 19-point framework adopted at the Accra conference, calling for formal apologies from countries and institutions that profited from slavery, as well as reparations mechanisms, debt relief, the return of cultural artefacts and human remains, educational initiatives, and stronger international cooperation. Despite these calls, many descendants of enslaved Africans argue that a formal apology is not enough.
Yaw Owusu Akyeaw of African Diaspora 126+ told Al Jazeera, “I am not too eager to accept apology for egregious crimes committed against humanity. “.
The call for reparations is gathering momentum, as descendants say that acknowledgement without meaningful action cannot undo generations of loss, displacement, and exploitation.
The Accra conference has provided a platform for discussing the long — term consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and advancing reparatory justice. For many, the discussion must move beyond apologies to include restitution and reparations.
The conference has highlighted the global support for reparatory justice, calling upon slave — trade nations to issue apologies and reparations, as demanded by African, Caribbean states, and global support.
The debate on reparations is not new, but the Accra conference has brought it to the forefront. Calls for accountability are growing, with nations such as Portugal, Britain, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, all of which played major roles in the transatlantic slave trade, frequently mentioned in reparations debates. Descendants of enslaved Africans demand not just words but actions that address the historic injustice inflicted on their ancestors.
The Accra conference has been a significant step, but it is only the beginning of a journey that must lead to meaningful change and justice for the descendants of those affected by the transatlantic slave trade.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin
