Ghana has renewed calls for concrete action on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, as government officials, international leaders, scholars and civil society groups gathered in Accra for a high-level conference on reparatory justice.

The three-day meeting, hosted by the Ghanaian government, is aimed at translating a landmark United Nations resolution on the trafficking and enslavement of Africans into actionable commitments and institutional frameworks for reparatory justice.

The conference follows the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution in March 2026 recognising the transatlantic slave trade and the enslavement of Africans as among the gravest crimes against humanity. The resolution, which was backed by 123 member states, also renewed global discussions on reparations and historical accountability.

Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, who serves as the African Union Champion on Reparatory Justice, said the focus has now shifted from recognition to implementation. According to organisers, discussions at the conference are expected to address restitution of cultural artefacts, legal mechanisms, institutional structures and other measures aimed at advancing reparatory justice.

Participants at the gathering include heads of state, diplomats, legal experts, academics, civil society organisations and representatives of the African diaspora. The event is also expected to produce a framework to guide future international engagement on the issue.Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the objective is to convert growing international support into measurable commitments that address the enduring social and economic consequences of slavery and colonial exploitation.

The conference is expected to conclude with recommendations on the next steps for advancing reparatory justice at regional and global levels.