President John Mahama has called for global accountability and reparative justice to confront the enduring legacies of slavery, colonialism, and neo-colonial exploitation.

In his Africa Day 2025 message, Mr Mahama reflected on the enduring consequences of centuries of exploitation, dispossession, and structural inequality imposed on the African continent and its diaspora.

“For too long, the legacy of slavery, colonialism and neo-colonialism has cast a long shadow on the lives and progress of Africans and people of African descent,” Mahama stated.

“These historical injustices have left deep scars. Reparations are not merely about financial compensation—they are about acknowledging the profound and enduring damage inflicted upon our people.”

Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to leading the AU’s reparations campaign, calling for solidarity and collective action from African leaders, institutions, and diaspora communities.

“As the AU Champion for this critical cause, I am deeply committed to working with you all to achieve this vital objective,” he said.

“We must confront the uncomfortable truths of our past and take concrete steps to rectify these wrongs,” he added.

Central to Mahama’s vision is a comprehensive framework for justice that includes formal apologies from former colonial powers and the institutions that profited from African exploitation.

“We seek justice—justice that encompasses a comprehensive range of measures, including official and unequivocal apologies from the nations and institutions responsible for perpetuating these historical injustices,” he declared.