The Republic of Ghana is set to host a High-Level “Next Steps” Conference on Reparatory Justice from 17 to 19 June 2026, marking a decisive moment in the global push for justice over the trans-Atlantic enslavement of Africans.
The conference, convened under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama in his capacity as African Union Champion for Reparations, comes on the heels of a historic United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and their racialized chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution, endorsed by 123 UN Member States, signals a growing international consensus on the need to confront historical injustices and chart a path toward reparatory justice.
Positioned as a strategic follow-up, the Accra conference will bring together Heads of State, foreign ministers, scholars, legal experts, activists, and representatives of international organizations. Their mandate: to transform the moral and political momentum of the UN resolution into a concrete, actionable global framework.
A key highlight of the gathering will be a historic Juneteenth commemoration at Christiansborg Castle in Osu—an enduring symbol of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. This first-ever joint observance between Africans on the continent and those in the United States is expected to serve as a powerful moment of remembrance and reflection. Organizers describe it as a “memorable climax” to the conference, reinforcing themes of recognition, healing, and justice.
Beyond symbolic acts, the conference is designed to foster deeper collaboration among African states and strengthen the continent’s unified voice on reparations within the global system. It will also open avenues for meaningful engagement with the African diaspora and international partners, whose roles are seen as critical in advancing the reparations agenda.
Expected outcomes include a comprehensive set of recommendations and forward-looking actions aimed at guiding future engagements at both continental and global levels. These measures are intended to build on the unprecedented momentum generated by the UN resolution and to lay the groundwork for sustained international cooperation.
As preparations intensify, Ghana has extended an open invitation to global stakeholders, with further details on participation and accreditation available through official channels.
With anticipation building, Accra is poised to become the focal point of a historic dialogue—one that seeks not only to acknowledge the past but to actively shape a more just and equitable future.
“United in purpose and guided by the spirit of our ancestors,” organizers affirm, “the pursuit of reparatory justice continues.”
Story By: Eric Boateng
