At the 38th African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, President John Dramani Mahama took center stage with a powerful call for collective action to secure reparations for Africans and people of African descent.
His impassioned speech launched the African Union’s theme for 2025, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” a theme that underscores the long-lasting effects of colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, apartheid, and racial discrimination.
In a compelling address, Mahama emphasized that the pursuit of justice for the historical trauma inflicted upon the African continent and its diaspora requires more than just acknowledgment—it demands real, tangible action.
He highlighted the necessity of building stronger legal and institutional frameworks at national, regional, and international levels to hold accountable those responsible for centuries of exploitation and oppression.
A United Front for Reparatory Justice
The theme for 2025, aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, calls for reparations as a means to address the economic and social disparities that continue to plague African societies due to the legacy of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations” calls for mobilizing political will, fostering partnerships, and engaging various stakeholders in the fight for reparative justice.
President Mahama drew particular attention to the outcomes of the Accra Reparations Conference held in November 2023, which reaffirmed the urgency of comprehensive reparatory justice. This conference led to the development of stronger advocacy frameworks, paving the way for a global push to address the lingering scars of history.
Mahama’s speech resonated with the sentiment that reparations cannot be a mere academic conversation but must translate into meaningful action that heals deep societal wounds. He called for collaboration across multiple sectors, including European member states, the African diaspora, civil society, academia, and the private sector. According to Mahama, it is only through a united, global effort that true reparative justice can be achieved.
The Lingering Legacy of Historical Injustices
The speech also touched on the profound effects of the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly displaced more than 12.5 million Africans over a span of 400 years. President Mahama described the middle passage as one of the most horrific chapters in human history, with an estimated two million Africans perishing during the journey alone. These atrocities, compounded by colonialism, apartheid, and ongoing neo-colonial exploitation, have had lasting economic, social, and psychological impacts.
Mahama noted that the consequences of these injustices are not confined to history but continue to affect generations. The descendants of enslaved Africans, he said, still face systemic discrimination, racial prejudice, and economic disparities. He pointed out that the economic toll on Africa, due to the loss of both human and material resources during colonial rule, amounts to trillions of dollars in damages.
“It is clear that the legacy of colonialism and the slave trade has not only harmed Africa but has contributed to a global system of inequality,” Mahama asserted. He called on the international community to recognize that reparations are not just about financial compensation but about restoring dignity, equity, and justice to millions of people whose ancestors were victimized by the brutality of colonial and slave systems.
**Ghana’s Commitment to Reparations and Global Justice**
As Ghana’s former president and a key figure in the African Union, Mahama reiterated his nation’s strong support for the reparations initiative. Ghana has been a vocal advocate for reparatory justice and has taken a leadership role in pushing the conversation forward on the global stage.
In his conclusion, Mahama called for a future in which African nations and people of African descent are no longer burdened by the ghosts of the past but instead empowered to achieve justice, equality, and prosperity. He urged the African Union and the international community to come together and ensure that reparations move from theory to action, contributing to a fairer, more just world for all.
“As we reflect on the historical injustices of the past, we must strive for a future that is fair, just, and equitable for all,” Mahama said. “Reparations are not just a matter of financial compensation; they are about restoring the dignity and rights of those whose lives were torn apart by centuries of exploitation.”
By: Shadrack Odame Agyare | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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