Ghana to host global reparations conference after landmark UN resolution

Ghana is preparing to host a major international conference on reparatory justice in June 2026, following the adoption of a United Nations resolution that recognises the trans-Atlantic enslavement of Africans as one of the most severe crimes against humanity.

The event is scheduled for June 17 to 19 in Accra and will be held under the authority of President John Dramani Mahama, who also serves as the African Union Champion for Reparations.

It follows a UN General Assembly resolution supported by 123 member states, which organisers describe as a key milestone in global recognition of historical injustices and efforts toward reparative justice.

The conference, titled the “High-Level Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice,” will bring together heads of state, foreign ministers, scholars, legal experts, historians, activists, and representatives of international organisations.

Discussions will focus on turning the UN resolution into a practical global framework for reparations, including coordinated policies, institutional arrangements, and long-term international cooperation.

Organisers noted that the final outcome document will propose a unified approach to developing policy structures and mechanisms for sustained global engagement on reparatory justice.

As part of the programme, a special commemoration of Juneteenth will be held on June 19, 2026, at Christiansborg Castle in Osu, a historic site connected to the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The event is expected to involve participants from Africa and the diaspora, especially the United States.

The conference also aims to strengthen Africa’s collective position on reparatory justice while enhancing cooperation with diaspora communities and international partners.

Additional information on registration and participation is available through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ conference portal.