President Akufo-Addo has announced his plans to lobby the African Union (AU) to back a pan-African initiative aimed at amplifying the global demand for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, seeking justice and compensation for the centuries-long exploitation and oppression of African people.
He emphasized that it is imperative to build bridges, reunite as a strong and united community, and collectively address the long-overdue issue of reparations.
As such, he noted that it is crucial to build a loud, united, and unstoppable chorus that demands attention and action, ultimately compelling decision-makers to take concrete steps toward addressing the issue.
“It is time that the Caribbean and those of us on the other side of the Atlantic get together on this matter because it is a common fight”. – President Akufo-Addo
The President made this remark while addressing the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley, at the Jubilee House, Accra.
Dr. Rowley’s courtesy call on the President was part of his itinerary on his visit to Ghana, where he was invited to celebrate His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene’s ascent to the throne.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of developing a strategic approach that would bring the perpetrators of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the negotiating table.
Furthermore, he indicated that this will facilitate a constructive dialogue on how to address the lingering impacts of this dark history and work towards meaningful redress and reconciliation.
More so, President Akufo-Addo expressed his support for the establishment of an international body aimed at expediting the reparations process for the atrocities committed during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.
As such, he reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to collaborating with this entity to achieve justice and restitution for the victims and their descendants.
“I think the people in Addis Ababa, the AU, will be very happy to hear this initiative, especially because of the decisions that have been taken in this last year or two along the same lines”.
President Akufo-Addo
Reparation To Restore Dignity
Moreover, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that it is crucial for the dignity and self-esteem of Africans, and for the continent as a whole, that the issue of reparations is addressed and resolved, if possible, within the lifetime of the current generation.
He indicated that this would greatly enhance the self-confidence and self-worth of African people, and serve as a significant step towards closure and healing.
“The people were taken from here and dumped across on the other side of the ocean. So, we have a direct interest”. – President Akufo-Addo
Accordingly, President Akufo-Addo has been consistently advocating for the African Union (AU) leadership to prioritize and thoroughly examine the matter of reparations, urging them to take concrete steps toward addressing this long-standing issue and securing justice for the victims of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and their descendants.
He further pointed out that if victims of the Holocaust and their families have received compensation for their suffering, it is only fair and just that Africans and their descendants, who were subjected to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its lingering impacts, should also receive reparations.
He emphasized that the heinous crimes committed during the trans-Atlantic slave trade must never be repeated and that Africans will forever stand vigilant, refusing to let such unimaginable cruelty and injustice be inflicted upon them again.
Dr. Rowley praised Ghana’s leadership in promoting reparations for Africans. He emphasized that Caribbean people, as descendants of enslaved Africans, want to overcome their painful history and reclaim their dignity.
As such, he highlighted the shared struggle between the Caribbean and Africa to achieve justice.
“And, we think the time has come for an international body to put this conversation, this narrative to the Western world so that some sort of rectifications could come our way”. – Dr. Keith Rowley
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