Ghana welcomes France's commitment to reparatory justice for slave trade

Ghana has lauded France's decision to collaborate on reparatory justice for the transatlantic enslavement of Africans, hailing it as a significant moment in the international pursuit of justice for descendants of enslaved people. The government described the move as a major breakthrough in the global campaign for historical justice and accountability.

French President Emmanuel Macron made the declaration during an event marking the 25th anniversary of France’s law recognizing slavery as a crime against humanity. This announcement follows the UN General Assembly's adoption of a Ghana-led resolution recognizing the transatlantic enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

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Honest reckoning is the necessary foundation for everything that follows. We welcome France’s willingness to begin that work.

In a statement issued in Accra, the Ghanaian government commended President Macron for his "honest, open, conciliatory and exemplary leadership" on this critical issue. Ghana expressed readiness to work closely with France on a comprehensive reparatory justice agenda. This includes formal apologies, guarantees of non-repetition, the return of looted artifacts, healing initiatives, compensation, and the repeal of colonial-era slavery statutes known as the "Code Noir."

The government noted that President Macron's acknowledgement of the "Code Noir's" incompatibility with modern democratic values represents an important act of historical reckoning. "Honest reckoning is the necessary foundation for everything that follows. We welcome France’s willingness to begin that work," the statement emphasized. This development is expected to bolster Ghana's international leadership role on reparatory justice, with President Mahama serving as the African Union Champion on Reparatory Justice.

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Honest, open, conciliatory and exemplary leadership