Ghana and the African Union (AU) are set to strengthen collaboration on reparatory justice as both sides prepare to advance the restitution pillar of the agenda at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the issue was a key part of discussions with Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, on the margins of the 81st UN General Assembly.
He said Ghana and the AU would work together to build stronger continental solidarity around reparatory justice following the adoption of a Ghana-led UN resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity.
According to the Minister, the two sides would lead several initiatives in New York aimed at advancing the reparatory justice agenda, including a high-level side event focused specifically on restitution.
He said the collaboration was intended to strengthen Africa’s collective voice on the issue and promote greater international attention to the consequences of the transatlantic trafficking and enslavement of Africans.
Mr Ablakwa said the discussions with the AU leadership also focused on Ghana’s priorities ahead of President John Mahama’s expected assumption of the AU Chairmanship in 2027.
He said Ghana’s preparations for the chairmanship were also discussed in the context of advancing the objectives of the AU’s Agenda 2063, the continent’s long-term development framework.
The Minister said the AU Deputy Chairperson commended Ghana for its preparations towards the 2027 chairmanship, noting that the country had completed the preparatory process six months ahead of schedule.
Mr Ablakwa said Ghana would continue working with the continental body to strengthen African unity and build broader support for reparatory justice.
He said the collaboration would also provide an opportunity for Ghana to contribute to efforts aimed at advancing Africa’s collective interests within multilateral institutions.
The engagement forms part of Ghana’s broader diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and the AU to mobilise continental support for reparatory justice and strengthen cooperation ahead of its 2027 leadership role within the African Union.
