Accra Conference on Slavery Reparations: From Apology to Action

The conference on slavery and reparative justice, held last week in Accra, Ghana, continues to resonate across Africa and the Caribbean, fueling global debates on historical responsibility, reparations, and inequality.

At Christiansborg Castle, also known as Osu Castle—a historic fort overlooking the Atlantic that once held enslaved Africans before they were shipped across the ocean—actors and students reenacted scenes from the slave trade era, tracing part of the journey endured by millions of African men, women, and children.

The three-day “Next Steps” conference gathered heads of state, policymakers, academics, legal experts, civil society organizations, and representatives of the African diaspora to discuss the lasting consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and ways to advance reparative justice.

The meeting came just months after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution recognizing the trafficking of enslaved Africans and race-based slavery as among the most serious crimes against humanity. The resolution, backed by 123 countries, was the first in UN history dedicated specifically to slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

The Accra conference produced a 19-point framework calling on nations and institutions that benefited from slavery to issue formal apologies, establish reparation mechanisms, return cultural artifacts and human remains, cancel debts, launch educational initiatives, and strengthen international cooperation.

“The enduring consequences of slavery continue to manifest through structural inequality, economic disparities, systemic racism, cultural erasure, and developmental challenges,” the conference’s outcome document stated.

Political and security risk analyst for West Africa and the Sahel, Mubarak Aliyu, told Al Jazeera that “the Accra meeting revived focus on the critical question of reparations from a financial perspective, the restitution of looted cultural artifacts, and educating Africans about the horrors of the Atlantic slave trade.”

Calls for accountability

Among the countries frequently cited in reparations debates are Portugal, Britain, France, Spain, and the Netherlands—all of which played major roles in the transatlantic slave trade. Historians estimate Portugal transported more enslaved Africans across the Atlantic than any other European power, accounting for about two-fifths of the trade, while Britain became the dominant force in the 18th century. France, Spain, and the Netherlands also profited heavily from slave-trading networks and plantation economies in the Americas.

Calls for reparations have gained momentum in recent years, particularly among African nations and those in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), which has developed a reparations agenda including formal apologies, development aid, debt cancellation, and programs to address the long-term legacy of slavery and colonialism.

Responses from former colonial powers vary widely. The Dutch government formally apologized in 2022 for its role in slavery. France recognized slavery as a crime against humanity in 2001. Britain has expressed regret for its role in the slave trade but has not committed to reparations. While some European governments have acknowledged the historical injustice of slavery, they have generally stopped short of endorsing direct financial compensation.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking to the conference via video, acknowledged the historical reality of slavery and suggested that reparations should be part of an ongoing process of recognition and commitment.

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama said the conference aimed to move the debate beyond symbolism and toward concrete action. He announced the establishment of three international bodies focused on reparative justice, cultural restitution, and legal matters to help advance the agenda.

Aliyu also told Al Jazeera that “while such meetings are not new, it shows the continued effort of African governments to demand accountability as a stepping stone toward more serious demands around reparations. Ultimately, for these efforts to succeed, more African countries must join the process to make these demands through a united continental front.”

Enduring legacy

Advocates argue that the legacy of slavery is not merely historical. Many scholars, activists, and policymakers contend that centuries of enslavement, colonialism, and exploitation continue to shape patterns of wealth, development, and opportunity across Africa and the African diaspora.

A key argument raised at the conference was that inequalities stemming from slavery and colonialism continue to influence global economic structures today. Supporters say this legacy is reflected in persistent gaps in wealth, investment, development outcomes, and access to international financial systems.

The conference also highlighted growing cooperation between African and Caribbean nations, which are increasingly aligning their positions to amplify calls for reparative justice on the international stage. Advocates view this alignment as a way to add political weight to demands that often struggle to gain traction globally.

From statements to action

Yet significant challenges remain. There is no international consensus on what reparations should look like in practice, with proposals ranging from financial compensation and debt cancellation to cultural restitution, educational investment, and institutional reform.

Some observers said the Accra meeting helped put reparative justice back on the global agenda after the UN resolution. Others noted that turning declarations into policy will require overcoming political opposition, legal hurdles, and questions of implementation.

Civil society groups, historians, and diaspora organizations continue to advocate for cultural restitution, educational reform, and reparative measures. For many of them, gatherings like the Accra conference are important not only for shaping policy proposals but also for keeping the issue visible on the international stage.

For advocates, the conference was never intended as a one-time event. Instead, they see it as part of a long-term effort to secure recognition of historical injustices, encourage acknowledgment of responsibility, and build international support for measures to address the long-lasting consequences of slavery.

As delegates left Accra, the message was clear: the debate over slavery, responsibility, and reparative justice is far from over.