A vigorous campaign initiated last week for reparations to Africa in support of the decades-old push for the continent to be compensated for colonisation, slavery and other dehumanising injustices on the people has generated some interesting reactions from the public.

The campaign followed President John Dramani Mahama's call at the recent AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for reparations to Africa to compensate for injustices perpetrated against the continent and its people.

Read also: Pan-African movement key to drive reparations agenda

The views from random interviews with the public were varied.

Joseph Adama, a businessman, argued that: "The call for reparations to Africa and Africans is a just and necessary demand. The lasting impact of colonisation, the transatlantic slave trade, and other historical injustices continue to shape economic disparities and social inequalities today.

"Reparations should go beyond financial compensation to include structural changes, debt relief, technology transfer, and fair trade policies that empower African nations.

"The need for a Pan-African Movement is vital to spearhead the growing global recognition of this issue, as it is crucial for world leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue to address historical wrongs with tangible solutions."

"I salute President John Dramani Mahama's courage to address this age-long cry of the African people."
Grace Buckman, a journalist, said: "I believe it is an essential factor in rewriting our history as Africans. We suffered a lot of injustices, and making amends is the least the western world can do.

"I believe the project will reshape the white supremacy mindset of the Western world and empower Africans in their development and advancement," she added.

Sedem Akosua Aggor, a Law student, also said: "A relentless pursuit of reparations and recompense from the West could imply a submission to modern-day colonisation. Despite the fact that Africa has suffered greatly as a result of Western interferences, we cannot expect our own development to be propelled by reparations. "With the right leadership, we are more than capable of building Africa into the great nation that we desire to be," she added.

John B.K Amoah, a Real Estate Agent based in Accra, however, thought otherwise, believing it was time for Africans to take their destinies into their own hands.

"Since slave trade was abolished so many years ago, what has Africans been able to do for ourselves when history has it that civilisation started from Africa?" he asked.

Emmanuel Alorbu, a Public Servant, also remarked: "What form of compensation are they shouting about? Wholesale, blanket or targeted? Monetary or material compensation? It cannot be quantified so they better concentrate on developing the continent. Enough of the cup in hand approach. "Therefore, we need to take a critical look at such calls," he said.

The engagements revealed a fair appreciation of the reparations subject by a section of Ghanaians and brought to the fore the urgent need for a united front to fight this cause. And that is where the formation of a Pan-African movement should be given a serious thought.