Former President John Dramani Mahama has passionately advocated for reparatory justice, highlighting its crucial role in restoring dignity, rights, and well-being to Africans and people of African descent.
Addressing the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly, President Mahama emphasized the significance of this year’s AU theme, which centers on reparations for historical injustices.
“The 2025 AU theme is a rallying cry for collective action towards reparatory justice. It is a plea to ensure that the dignity, rights, and well-being of Africans and their descendants are fully restored,” President Mahama stated.
He pointed out that reparations go beyond mere financial compensation, encompassing restitution, rehabilitation, and guarantees against the recurrence of past abuses.
Additionally, President Mahama underscored the necessity of historical accountability and the need to confront enduring structural inequalities. “Reparations involve not just financial compensation but also restitution, rehabilitation, and assurances that past abuses will not be repeated. It is also about truth-telling, historical accountability, and taking responsibility for the marginalization of individuals for centuries,” he remarked.
He further stressed that the movement for reparations should include broader initiatives, such as enhancing educational opportunities, reclaiming cultural heritage, and amplifying the voices of Africans and the diaspora on the global stage. “The call for reparations extends beyond financial restitution to tackling structural inequalities, ensuring access to education, reclaiming cultural heritage, and elevating the voices of Africa and its diaspora communities internationally,” he added.
This call to action is particularly timely, given the AU’s commitment to addressing historical injustices related to slavery and colonialism. The 38th AU Summit, themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” represents a crucial moment in this important endeavor.
By Nii Odartey Lamptey
