President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana will use the upcoming 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York to intensify the global campaign for reparatory justice for Africa and people of African descent.

The President announced that Ghana will host a high-level side event during the UNGA in September 2026 to review progress made since the launch of the international reparations initiative in Accra.

Addressing African leaders at the 21st Extraordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) in Luanda, Angola, President Mahama said the meeting will bring together Heads of State and other key stakeholders to assess ongoing work and determine the next steps in the campaign.

He said the event will receive progress reports from specialised panels established following the Next Steps Conference held in Accra in June 2026.

The Accra conference brought together African leaders, experts and other stakeholders and broadened the reparations agenda to include indentured labour as a historical injustice.

As part of efforts to advance the campaign, three key bodies were established: the High-Level Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice, the Global Experts Panel on the Restitution of Cultural Heritage and the Global Legal Panel on Reparatory Justice.

According to President Mahama, the panels are expected to provide recommendations covering the political, legal, historical and cultural aspects of the campaign.

He said Ghana’s decision to host the UNGA side event demonstrates the country’s continued commitment to leading international efforts for justice, restitution and dignity for Africans and people of African descent.

President Mahama, who was recognised as the African Union Champion for Reparations during the June conference, urged other African leaders to participate in the upcoming discussions.

“As a follow-up, Ghana will host a high-level side event during the 81st UN General Assembly Session this September to receive progress reports from our established panels.”

He added: “I have invited all Heads of State to join us as we continue to lead the charge for justice, restitution, and dignity for Africa and people of African descent worldwide.”

The planned UNGA gathering is expected to provide an international platform for Ghana and its partners to build support for the reparations agenda and strengthen cooperation towards addressing historical injustices against Africans and people of African descent.