Mahama, Macron push new chapter on reparatory justice

John Dramani Mahama and Emmanuel Macron are pushing a new chapter on reparatory justice following major policy announcements by Emmanuel Macron. The Government of Ghana welcomed what it described as a "historic and courageous" decision by France to engage in reparatory justice discussions over the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release on Friday, May 23, 2026, commending President Macron for his "honest, open, conciliatory and exemplary leadership" on one of the most sensitive historical injustices confronting the global Black community. President Macron declared new anti-slavery measures and signaled France's readiness to work with Ghana on reparatory justice initiatives during events marking the 25th anniversary of France's law recognising slavery as a crime against humanity. The Government of Ghana said the development represented an important milestone in the growing international movement seeking acknowledgement, redress and reconciliation over centuries of transatlantic slavery and colonial exploitation. The Ministry noted that the latest developments followed the landmark adoption of a Ghana-led United Nations General Assembly resolution on March 25, 2026, which recognised the transatlantic enslavement of Africans as "the gravest crime against humanity." The resolution was adopted with the support of 123 member states.

Ghana looks forward to deepening cooperation with France through a proposed Ghana-France Scientific Commission expected to be established in Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama accepted an invitation for President Macron to participate in the upcoming "Next Steps" High-Level Conference on Reparatory Justice scheduled to take place in Accra from June 17 to June 19, 2026. The summit is expected to bring together Heads of State, ministers, diplomats, academics, civil society organisations and reparatory justice advocates from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the Americas.