The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the United States has indicated its readiness to work with Ghana on reparatory justice, despite voting against the United Nations (UN) resolution on the issue.
Speaking at the High-Level Side Event on the Next Steps, hosted by President John Dramani Mahama in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the minister said Ghana has received formal communication from Washington.
“We have received formal notice from the United States of America that even though they voted against this resolution, they are willing to begin to work with us towards that fair and just world we all seek,” he said.
The US was one of three countries that opposed the Ghana-led resolution when the UN adopted it in March 2026. In all, 123 countries voted in favour and 52 abstained.
The minister said the US decision shows that the initiative is not meant to divide countries, but to promote healing and reconciliation.
“The Ghana-led effort is not about dividing the world. It is rather about bringing us together. It is rather about healing. It is rather about genuine reconciliation.”
He said President Mahama, who chairs the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice, is pursuing it in good faith.
“There are no hidden agendas. There is no secret motive. All we seek is to build a new world, a fair and just world, a world without racism, a world without discrimination.”
He said Ghana hopes for the return of African artefacts held in museums and private collections in Europe and the United States, noting that the objects are integral to Africa’s identity, culture and heritage.
“They represent our soul. They represent our spirit, our humanity, our culture, our heritage.”
He praised France, Germany and the Netherlands for publicly pledging to return artefacts and urged other countries to do the same.
Since the resolution, Ghana’s reparatory justice agenda has focused on moving from international recognition to action, including the return of cultural heritage and the development of legal and policy frameworks.
