President John Dramani Mahama has called for reparatory justice discussions with the United Kingdom to produce concrete measures addressing the enduring economic, social and cultural consequences of slavery and colonialism.

He has outlined five priority areas for the proposed engagement, including a formal apology for the transatlantic slave trade, the return of stolen African artefacts, targeted development investments, action against systemic racism and reforms to address global economic inequalities.

The proposals are expected to guide discussions involving the United Kingdom, the African Union (AU), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African diaspora.

In a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, President Mahama welcomed what he described as a significant opening for dialogue following comments by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who expressed support for discussions with communities affected by the transatlantic slave trade and openness to a formal apology on behalf of the British state.

Burnham, however, has ruled out financial reparations.

President Mahama, who serves as the African Union Champion on Reparations and chairs the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice, commended the British position as an important step towards confronting the historical legacy of slavery and colonialism.

“As African Union Champion on Reparations and Chair of the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice, I commend the statement for its bold, reflective, conciliatory, and honest reckoning with the UK’s legacy of slavery and colonialism,” he said.

He stressed that the proposed dialogue must move beyond acknowledging historical wrongdoing to establishing practical measures that address its continuing effects.

Among the priorities is a formal apology for the atrocities associated with the transatlantic slave trade, alongside a coordinated international commitment to dismantling systemic racism and Afrophobia.

The President also called for targeted investments in education, science, healthcare, youth empowerment and climate resilience, arguing that such interventions should form part of efforts to address the long-term consequences of slavery and colonial exploitation.

Another key demand is the restitution of stolen cultural artefacts, which he said remains an important component of restoring African heritage and addressing historical injustices.

Mr Mahama further proposed strategic development partnerships aimed at tackling structural poverty and reforming inequitable global economic and debt arrangements that continue to constrain developing countries.

He cited the Accra Reset and the Bridgetown Initiative as relevant frameworks for addressing these challenges.

The President linked the renewed momentum for reparatory justice to a Ghana-led United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and the racialised enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. He noted that the development was particularly significant because the United Kingdom abstained during the vote.

Despite welcoming the prospect of a formal apology, Mr Mahama cautioned that acknowledgement alone would not reverse the suffering and injustices experienced by millions of Africans and their descendants.

“While an acknowledgement of the atrocities and a formal apology for the grave mistreatment of the millions affected cannot undo the profound injustices of the past, they signal a crucial departure from past denial and open the path toward genuine healing and repair,” he said.

He called for structured, good-faith discussions involving the AU, CARICOM, African diaspora communities and countries historically involved in the transatlantic slave trade.

Acknowledging that the participating parties might disagree on some aspects of reparatory justice, he urged them not to allow differing positions to derail their common objective of achieving healing and redress.

“We recognise, as our partners do, that our perspectives on reparatory justice may not be identical. There are clearly areas of strong disagreement, but such differences must not deter us from the shared objective,” he added.

Mr Mahama identified the Accra Next Steps Commitments, CARICOM’s Ten Point Plan and the AU’s declarations on reparatory justice as key frameworks to guide the discussions.

He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working with African countries, CARICOM, the global African diaspora and the United Kingdom to pursue justice, reconciliation and an end to racial discrimination.

“Ghana is ready to walk this road in full partnership with the African Union, CARICOM, members of our global coalition, and the United Kingdom to achieve lasting justice, genuine reconciliation, true healing and the creation of a new world without racism and discrimination,” he said.