Presidents, prime ministers, parliamentary leaders and ministers from more than 80 countries have arrived in Ghana to participate in the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice, a major international gathering aimed at advancing global discussions on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impact.
The three-day conference, convened by President John Dramani Mahama, is scheduled to take place from June 17 to June 19, 2026.
Among the high-profile dignitaries attending are the presidents of Senegal, Namibia, Liberia and São Tomé and PrÃncipe, the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Vice Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, the Speaker of the Algerian Parliament, as well as ministers and senior government officials from across Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and other parts of the world.
French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to attend the event.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the gathering is expected to strengthen international efforts toward achieving reparatory justice and foster collaboration among political leaders, policymakers, academics and advocates.
According to him, discussions will focus on practical pathways for addressing both the historical and present-day consequences of the transatlantic slave trade.
The conference comes three months after the adoption of United Nations Resolution A/RES/80/250, which declared transatlantic enslavement the gravest crime against humanity.
The landmark resolution has intensified global calls for meaningful action to address the enduring effects of slavery and colonial exploitation.
President Mahama, who has positioned Ghana at the forefront of international reparatory justice advocacy, is expected to use the conference to promote greater global cooperation and encourage the development of concrete frameworks for reparations and restorative justice.
Organisers say the conference is expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening international advocacy, promoting historical accountability and advancing policies designed to address the legacy of slavery and colonialism.
The event is being closely watched by governments, civil society organisations and international institutions engaged in the growing global movement for reparatory justice.
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