Former President John Dramani Mahama has proposed three key pillars to advance the global reparatory justice agenda, moving from recognition of historical injustices to concrete action. Speaking at a High-Level Side Event on the Next Steps, hosted on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Mahama emphasized the need for implementation of the Accra Next Steps Commitments on Reparatory Justice. The commitments provide a blueprint for translating the UN's recognition of historical injustices into practical measures.
President Mahama's first pillar involves creating a permanent and institutionalized global system for restitution. He called on the United Nations and countries holding African cultural property to establish clear and standardized legal and diplomatic mechanisms to facilitate provenance research, improve access to archives, and reduce legal barriers to restitution. The unconditional return of human remains was also identified as an immediate priority.
The second pillar focuses on building Africa's capacity to receive, preserve, and manage its returning cultural heritage. President Mahama rejected arguments that restitution should be delayed until African countries develop adequate facilities to preserve the artifacts. He argued that capacity constraints must not be used as a justification for continued possession, and that capacity must serve as a bridge to return, not a barrier to justice.
Africa is already developing the necessary infrastructure through initiatives such as the African Union's Great African Museum and the AU-EU Museum Partnership. President Mahama emphasized that these efforts demonstrate Africa's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. The third pillar involves positioning cultural heritage as an engine of economic and social development.
President Mahama urged multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, foundations, and private-sector partners to invest in Africa's cultural infrastructure, including regional archives, conservation laboratories, digitization projects, and professional training. He argued that properly preserved and showcased cultural heritage could contribute to education, national identity, tourism, and the creative economy.
President Mahama's proposals follow the UN General Assembly's adoption of Resolution 80/250 on March 25, which Ghana has described as a significant step in advancing the global reparatory justice agenda. The resolution acknowledges the historical injustices associated with the trafficking and enslavement of Africans and emphasizes the need for concrete action to address these injustices.
The former President's call to action emphasizes the need for collective efforts to advance the global reparatory justice agenda. His proposals have been met with attention from various stakeholders, including governments, international institutions, and civil society organizations. The implementation of these proposals will require sustained commitment and cooperation from all parties involved.
Key points
- Former President John Dramani Mahama has proposed three key pillars to advance the global reparatory justice agenda.
- The pillars involve creating a permanent and institutionalized global system for restitution, building Africa's capacity to receive and manage its returning cultural heritage, and positioning cultural heritage as an engine of economic and social development.
- President Mahama's proposals follow the UN General Assembly's adoption of Resolution 80/250, which acknowledges the historical injustices associated with the trafficking and enslavement of Africans.
