The appeal followed a landmark UN resolution in March declaring slavery and the slave trade “the worst crime against humanity” and urging good-faith dialogue on reparative justice, including the return of looted cultural property. The resolution, though non-binding, carried significant moral weight and sparked global debate.

The “Next Steps” conference in Ghana’s capital issued a declaration demanding unconditional apologies from nations involved in the slave trade as a foundation for reconciliation and trust. Organizers said the meeting aimed to move beyond recognition toward concrete action, including pursuing reparations under international law.
The UN resolution was adopted by 123 votes, marking the first time in the organization’s 80-year history that a decision focused exclusively on slavery and the transatlantic trade. Historians note that European traders forcibly transported about 12 million Africans between the 16th and 19th centuries to work on plantations that generated immense wealth at the cost of human suffering.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama told delegates from more than 80 countries that the UN decision created a new opportunity for meaningful engagement. He stressed that the legacy of slavery remains visible across Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider African diaspora. “Recognition creates responsibility,” Mahama said, adding that lasting consequences of slavery demand coordinated international action.

Beyond its historical dimension, Mahama linked reparations to Africa’s geopolitical standing, calling for a permanent seat for the continent on the UN Security Council. He argued that the current arrangement is outdated and unjust, echoing a demand voiced by Nelson Mandela in 1995. Analysts say the push for reparations is increasingly tied to Africa’s quest for greater influence in global governance.