The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that the United States is willing to work with Ghana on reparatory justice. This development comes after the US voted against a United Nations resolution on the issue in March 2026. Ablakwa made this revelation at a High-Level Side Event on the Next Steps, hosted by President John Dramani Mahama in New York. The minister emphasized that Ghana has received formal communication from Washington regarding their willingness to collaborate.
The UN resolution, led by Ghana, was adopted in March 2026 with 123 countries voting in favor, 52 abstaining, and three opposing it. The US was one of the countries that voted against the resolution. However, Ablakwa stated that the US decision to work with Ghana shows that the initiative is not meant to divide countries but to promote healing and reconciliation. He stressed that the Ghana-led effort is about bringing nations together and promoting a fair and just world.
According to Ablakwa, President Mahama, who chairs the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice, is pursuing the initiative in good faith. The minister clarified that there are no hidden agendas or secret motives behind the effort. The goal is to build a new world without racism and discrimination. Ghana hopes to achieve this through the return of African artefacts held in museums and private collections in Europe and the US.
Ablakwa highlighted the significance of the artefacts, stating that they represent Africa's identity, culture, and heritage. He praised France, Germany, and the Netherlands for publicly pledging to return artefacts and urged other countries to follow suit. Since the resolution, Ghana's reparatory justice agenda has focused on moving from international recognition to action.
The agenda includes the return of cultural heritage and the development of legal and policy frameworks. Ablakwa's announcement demonstrates Ghana's commitment to pursuing reparatory justice through diplomatic channels. The minister's statement also underscores the importance of international cooperation in achieving this goal.
The US decision to work with Ghana on reparatory justice marks a significant shift in their stance on the issue. Ablakwa's revelation has sparked optimism that other countries may follow suit. The Ghana-led initiative aims to promote healing and reconciliation, and the minister's statement emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in achieving this goal.
As Ghana continues to push for reparatory justice, the country is likely to engage in further diplomatic efforts with the US and other nations. The return of African artefacts is a key aspect of this initiative, and Ghana hopes to see significant progress in the coming months. The country's efforts have been praised by various stakeholders, and the international community will be watching closely to see how this initiative unfolds.
Key points
- The US has indicated its willingness to work with Ghana on reparatory justice despite voting against the UN resolution.
- Ghana hopes for the return of African artefacts held in museums and private collections in Europe and the US.
- The Ghana-led initiative aims to promote healing and reconciliation, and the country's efforts have been praised by various stakeholders.
