US ready to work with Ghana on reparatory justice despite opposing UN resolution – Ablakwa

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that the United States has expressed its intention to collaborate with Ghana on the country's reparatory justice agenda, despite the U.S. voting against a UN resolution on the matter. Speaking at a High-Level Side Event in New York, Ablakwa stated that Washington's communication of willingness to work with Ghana highlighted the initiative's aim to foster a fair and just world, rather than dividing nations.

The U.S. was one of three countries to vote against the Ghana-led resolution, alongside 52 abstentions and 123 votes in favor. Ablakwa emphasized that the Ghana-led effort aimed to bring countries together, promote healing, and achieve genuine reconciliation. He highlighted President John Dramani Mahama's dedication to advancing the agenda in good faith as the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice's Chair.

The minister also underscored the importance of returning African cultural artifacts held in European and U.S. museums and private collections, stating that such objects are crucial to Africa's identity, culture, and heritage. Ghana has been seeking the return of these artifacts since the UN resolution, with France, Germany, and the Netherlands already publicly committing to their return.

Ablakwa called on other countries to follow this example. The government's reparatory justice agenda has since the resolution focused on transitioning from international recognition to concrete actions, such as restitution of cultural heritage and establishing legal and policy frameworks.