Accra Conference Advances Global Movement for Slavery Reparations

Accra Conference Marks Turning Point in Global Reparations Movement

A conference on slavery and reparatory justice held in Ghana's capital last week is still resonating across Africa and the Caribbean, feeding into global debates on historical accountability, reparations and inequality. The three-day "Next Steps" conference brought together heads of state, policymakers, academics, legal experts, civil society groups and representatives of the African diaspora to discuss the long-term consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and ways to advance reparatory justice.

The meeting came just months after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution recognising the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel slavery as among the gravest crimes against humanity. The resolution, backed by 123 countries, was the first in the UN's history dedicated exclusively to slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

Historic Gathering at Christiansborg Castle

At Christiansborg Castle, also known as Osu Castle, a historic fortress overlooking the Atlantic Ocean that served as a holding point for enslaved Africans before they were shipped across the Atlantic, actors and students re-enacted scenes from the slave trade, retracing part of the journey endured by millions of African men, women and children.

The Accra gathering produced a 19-point framework calling for formal apologies from countries and institutions that profited from slavery, the creation of reparations mechanisms, the return of cultural artefacts and human remains, debt relief, educational initiatives and stronger international cooperation.

"The enduring consequences of slavery continue to manifest through structural inequalities, economic disparities, systemic racism, cultural erasure and development challenges," the conference outcome document said.

International Support for Accountability

Among the countries most frequently mentioned in reparations debates are Portugal, Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands, all of which played major roles in the transatlantic slave trade. Historians estimate that Portugal transported more enslaved Africans across the Atlantic than any other European power, accounting for roughly two-fifths of the trade, while Britain became a dominant force during the 18th century.

Calls for reparations have gained momentum in recent years, particularly among African states and among nations in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), which has developed a reparations agenda that includes formal apologies, development support, debt relief and programmes aimed at addressing the long-term legacy of slavery and colonialism.

Responses from former colonial powers have varied. The Dutch government formally apologised in 2022 for the Netherlands' role in slavery. France recognised slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001. Britain has expressed regret for its role in the slave trade but has not committed to reparations.

Enduring Legacy of Slavery and Global Inequality

Supporters argue that the legacy of slavery is not merely historical. Many scholars, activists and policymakers contend that centuries of enslavement, colonialism and exploitation continue to shape patterns of wealth, development and opportunity across Africa and the African diaspora.

A key argument raised at the conference was that inequalities rooted in slavery and colonialism continue to influence global economic structures today. Advocates say this legacy is reflected in persistent gaps in wealth, investment, development outcomes and access to international financial systems.

The conference also highlighted growing cooperation between African and Caribbean countries, which are increasingly coordinating their positions in an effort to strengthen calls for reparatory justice on the international stage. Supporters see this alignment as a way of giving greater political weight to demands that have often struggled to gain traction internationally.

Path Forward for Reparatory Justice

Yet significant challenges remain. There is no international consensus on what reparations should look like in practice, with proposals ranging from financial compensation and debt relief to cultural restitution, educational investment and institutional reforms.

Some observers say the Accra meeting helped push reparatory justice back onto the global agenda following the UN resolution. Others note that translating declarations into policy will require overcoming political resistance, legal obstacles and questions about implementation.

Civil society groups, historians and diaspora organisations continue to campaign for cultural restitution, education reform and reparatory measures. For many of them, gatherings such as the Accra conference are important not only for shaping policy proposals but also for keeping the issue visible internationally.

As delegates left Accra, the message was clear: the debate over slavery, responsibility and reparatory justice is far from over.