Ghana has expressed support for Jamaica’s planned petition to King Charles III seeking legal guidance on the country’s slavery reparations claim against Britain.
President John Dramani Mahama made the declaration while addressing a special sitting of Jamaica’s Parliament on Tuesday as part of his State Visit to the Caribbean nation.
He commended the Jamaican government and people for advancing the global campaign for reparatory justice and reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at addressing the historical consequences of the transatlantic slave trade.
Jamaica announced in June that government officials would travel to the United Kingdom in September to formally present a petition to King Charles III, who serves as Jamaica’s Head of State.
The petition is expected to seek legal guidance on Jamaica’s claim for reparations from Britain over its role in the transatlantic slave trade and slavery.
President Mahama also disclosed plans to champion a continental initiative that will make it easier for people of African descent in the diaspora to return to Africa, settle and access residency or citizenship opportunities when he assumes the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU).
He said the initiative would form part of broader efforts to strengthen ties between Africa and the diaspora and address the historical separation caused by slavery and colonialism.
The proposed “right of return” framework is based on the principle that people of African descent whose ancestors were forcibly taken from Africa through the transatlantic slave trade should have pathways to return, establish residence and potentially acquire citizenship in African countries.
President Mahama is expected to use Ghana’s historical role in the transatlantic slave trade and its position as a key destination for diaspora engagement to advance discussions on reparatory justice and stronger Africa-diaspora relations at the continental level.
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