Amanze Chinonye
Ghana has welcomed a United Nations recommendation calling for reparatory justice for the historical and continuing harms associated with colonialism, the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel slavery, describing it as a significant development in its campaign for reparations.
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The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) adopted General Recommendation No. 40 on reparatory justice for the harms and continuing consequences of colonialism, the trafficking of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic and other routes, and racialised chattel slavery.
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Ghana said the recommendation strengthens the international legal framework underpinning its campaign for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring consequences.
The development comes as President John Dramani Mahama advances Ghana’s reparations agenda at international and continental forums. Mahama has been presenting Ghana’s position on the issue following the adoption of a Ghana-led United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel slavery among the gravest crimes against humanity.
Mahama is also expected to host a side event on restitution in New York during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly next month, following a Next Steps Consultative Conference on reparatory justice held in Accra.
Ghana said CERD’s recommendation provides authoritative guidance on states’ obligations under the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in relation to the historical and continuing consequences of slavery and racial discrimination.
The government said the recommendation challenges the argument that the passage of time, or the fact that slavery was permitted under laws in force at the time, should prevent claims for reparatory justice.
Ghana described the development as a shift in the international legal debate, arguing that recognition of historical injustice should be accompanied by measures including acknowledgement, restitution, compensation and guarantees of non-repetition.
The recommendation does not, by itself, constitute a court judgment ordering specific states to pay compensation. Rather, it represents the interpretation and guidance of a United Nations treaty-monitoring body on states’ obligations under the racial discrimination convention.
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Ghana has positioned itself as a leading advocate for reparations in cooperation with African states, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries and the African diaspora.
The government has argued that the effects of slavery and colonialism continue to shape economic, social and racial inequalities and therefore require international action beyond historical recognition.
“A crime does not rot,” Ghana said, reaffirming its position that historical injustice does not lose its significance with the passage of time.
Ghana said it would continue to pursue reparatory justice through the United Nations, the African Union and other international platforms.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
