President John Dramani Mahama has stated that reparative justice is essential to addressing Africa’s long-standing historical trauma and restoring the continent’s collective dignity.
Speaking at the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting between the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the President described reparations not as a symbolic gesture but as a necessary step toward healing and systemic transformation.
“We reaffirm our shared resolve to correct the historical wrongs and injustices through restitution, healing, and holistic systemic transformation,” he told the gathering of African leaders and stakeholders.
President Mahama stressed that Africa cannot pursue development without acknowledging the loss of identity and historical erasure experienced over centuries.
“We cannot speak of development without identity or speak of unity without acknowledging the erasure that has fractured our heritage,” he noted, invoking the words of Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, their origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”
“Restitution to the African, therefore, is restoration of our full dignity,” he added.
The President further argued that reparations offer a pathway to healing what he termed “deep civilisational wounds,” and restoring agency to African people in shaping their own past, present, and future.
“As we do more to correct historical wrongs where we are setting our full humanity, we are reaffirming our sovereignty. We are reigniting the flame of dignity that has always burned within the African soul,” he said.
READ: Mahama urges unified African push for reparations at AU mid-year meeting
President Mahama assured the AU of Ghana’s full commitment to the reparations agenda, pledging the country’s support for initiatives aimed at building a unified African voice on the issue.
“You can count on the support of Ghana in this collaborative agenda for the Africa we all want,” he concluded.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
