Ghana is hosting a major international conference on reparatory justice, bringing together presidents, prime ministers, parliamentary leaders, ministers and policymakers from more than 80 countries to deepen global conversations on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impact.

The three-day Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice, convened by President John Dramani Mahama, is taking place from June 17 to June 19, 2026.

Among the high-profile participants are the presidents of Senegal, Namibia, Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe, the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Vice Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, the Speaker of Algeria’s Parliament, as well as senior government officials from Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and other parts of the world.

French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to participate in the conference.

Addressing the significance of the gathering, Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the forum aims to strengthen international collaboration on reparatory justice and create a unified platform for addressing the enduring effects of slavery and colonial exploitation.

He noted that the conference brings together political leaders, scholars, policy experts and advocates to explore practical approaches to redress historical injustices and their continuing social and economic consequences.

The event comes on the heels of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of Resolution A/RES/80/250, which formally recognised transatlantic slavery and enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.

The landmark resolution has renewed international attention on calls for reparations and heightened demands for meaningful action to address centuries of injustice suffered by people of African descent.

President Mahama, who has emerged as a leading advocate for reparatory justice on the global stage, is expected to use the conference to advance dialogue on accountability, healing and restorative measures while encouraging broader international support for the cause.

Deliberations are expected to culminate in a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening global advocacy efforts, promoting historical accountability and advancing policies designed to address the enduring legacy of slavery and colonial rule.