AFRICA | Accra Conference Sets Path for Reparations and Healing in Africa

Accra, Ghana, February 7, 2024 - Last November, the vibrant city of Accra played host to a groundbreaking gathering, the Accra Reparations Conference, which set forth a visionary path for reparatory justice across Africa. 

Under the theme "Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice and Reparations to Africans," this pivotal event brought together leaders, experts, and advocates to forge a united strategy for addressing the scars of enslavement, colonialism, and apartheid.

In a spirit of unity and determination, the conference culminated in a series of forward-thinking recommendations. 

Foremost among these was the call for the African Union to create a Committee of Experts on Reparations, tasked with crafting a unified African Policy on Reparations and a dynamic African Reparatory Programme of Action. 

A notable proposal was the establishment of a Global Reparations Fund, anchored in Africa yet bolstered by the support of multilateral institutions globally, marking a significant stride towards justice and healing.

The conference underscored the importance of international advocacy through the proposed Office of AU Special Envoy on Reparations, aiming to spearhead global efforts for reparatory justice. 

It also advocated for a robust partnership framework linking the AU, CARICOM, Latin American States, and the African diaspora worldwide, enhancing cooperation across the Global South.

A major focal point was the repatriation and safeguarding of Africa's cultural legacy. 

The conference stressed developing a united stance on the restitution of cultural property, advocating for the return of artifacts illicitly removed from the continent. This move not only seeks to reclaim Africa's rich heritage but also to mend historical wounds.

The Accra Conference bravely addressed the lingering effects of past injustices, advocating for immediate and comprehensive reforms within the international community. 

By championing equitable systems and the return of cultural treasures, the conference laid a foundation for a future where Africa's voice is heard loud and clear on the global stage.

Hosted by Ghana’s President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the African Union, with contributions from international leaders, such as Prime Ministers of Burundi and Barbados, Ministers of Member States of the AU, the Secretary General of the CARICOM, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the conference was a testament to the collective resolve to pursue justice and reparations. 

As Africa marches towards Agenda 2063, the Accra Reparations Conference stands as a beacon of hope, unity, and action towards righting the wrongs of the past and building a just, equitable future for all Africans.