UNGA81: President Mahama outlines three pillars for next phase of reparatory justice
By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah President John Dramani Mahama has outlined three key pillars to guide the next phase of Ghana’s global reparatory justice campaign, following the historic United Nations resolution recognising the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Speaking at a high-level side event on the sidelines of […]
President John Dramani Mahama has outlined three main areas for Ghana's ongoing campaign for reparatory justice at a UN event, following the recent recognition of enslavement as a crime against humanity. The first priority is to create a permanent global system for returning Africa's cultural heritage. This includes establishing legal and diplomatic mechanisms to return looted artifacts and human remains.
Several countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, have expressed willingness to cooperate. Mahama emphasized that even the United States, despite voting against the UN resolution, is open to discussions on restitution. The second pillar focuses on investing in Africa's cultural infrastructure to preserve returned items.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to build the Great African Museum and the development of regional archives, conservation labs, and digitisation projects. The third pillar is to recognize cultural heritage as a key driver of development, arguing that properly preserved heritage can foster education, tourism, and the creative economy.
Mahama stressed that the reparatory justice process aims to reconnect future generations with their history and identity, rather than to assign blame for past wrongs.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
