Ghana Says Western Support Growing for Slave Trade Reparations

Ghana says Western support is increasing for its campaign seeking reparations for the trans-Atlantic slave trade, with the initial effort focused on securing the return of African artifacts taken during the colonial era.

Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said Wednesday that restitution of looted cultural artifacts is the first priority of a broader reparatory justice campaign. He spoke at an event co-hosted by Ghana, Germany and France on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The initiative is based on a 19-point reparations plan adopted in June by the African Union and the Caribbean Community Commission on Reparatory Justice. Beyond artifact restitution, later stages could involve formal apologies, debt relief and financial compensation.

In March, the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing trans-Atlantic slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity.” The measure received 123 votes in favor, while the United States, Israel and Argentina voted against it. Another 52 countries, including European Union members and the United Kingdom, abstained.

Ablakwa said attitudes have shifted since the UN vote, with many European governments that abstained now expressing willingness to participate in discussions.

“Virtually all the European countries that abstained during the vote have reached out and have said they are going to work with us on this journey,” he said.

According to Ablakwa, Britain and Portugal have offered support, while the United States has indicated it is prepared to engage with the Ghana-led initiative. France, Germany and the Netherlands have also signaled willingness to return artifacts.

“Restitution is very important to this journey,” Ablakwa said, arguing that African cultural objects should be returned to their countries of origin.

An estimated 12.5 million Africans were enslaved and transported across the Atlantic between the 16th and 19th centuries, according to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database. Enslaved Africans were taken primarily to South America, the Caribbean and North America to work on plantations and in mines.

The database estimates that Portugal and Britain were responsible for transporting more than 70% of enslaved Africans carried across the Atlantic.