Mahama commends UK's Prime Minister's declaration on reparatory justice, transatlantic enslavement 

President John Dramani Mahama has commended United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s declaration on reparatory justice and the transatlantic enslavement for its bold, reflective, conciliatory, and honest reckoning with the UK’s legacy of slavery and colonialism.

“I welcome, with cautious optimism and appreciation, the UK Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the horrific violation of human dignity inflicted by the Transatlantic Slave Trade, as well as the UK government’s openness to a formal apology and structured dialogue,” he said.

President Mahama, the African Union Champion on Reparations and Chair of the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice, said this in a statement issued by Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in-charge of Government Communications.

The President said the Government of Ghana commends Prime Minister Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband for their moral leadership in recognising that confronting historical truth is not a sign of weakness, but an act of statesmanship and justice.

“As we embark on this shared path, Ghana stands resolute. We have waited too long for this day; let our generation of leaders be remembered for our courage to confront the past honestly and seek the healing and repair that will put this dark chapter of human history behind us and guarantee non-repetition,” he stated.

The President said the Prime Minister’s statement, following the landmark adoption of the Ghana-led UN Resolution declaring the Transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity, was a refreshing development, particularly considering the UK’s abstention during the vote.

“We consider this a watershed moment and a refreshing contribution to the growing international consensus on reparatory justice,” President Mahama said.

He noted that Ghana speaks on this historic issue from a place of deep and enduring memory.

“We are home to the highest number of slave castles and forts in the world," the President said.