Solidarity message by Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker, Parliament of Ghana and chair, conference of speakers and presidents of African legislatures, at the fifth ordinary session of the sixth legislature of the Pan-African Parliament
H.E Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira: The President of the Pan African Parliament:
Colleague Presidents and Speakers of National Assemblies here Present,
Hon Members of the Pan-African Parliament,
Distinguished Guests,
The Media
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Permit me to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the President of the Pan-African Parliament for the kind invitation to join you and deliver this message of solidarity on the occasion of the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Pan African Parliament for the year 2025.
I bring you warm fraternal greetings from the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama; the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin; Honourable Members of Parliament; and the people of Ghana. On their behalf, I extend heartfelt greetings and reaffirm the Parliament of Ghana’s enduring solidarity with the Pan African Parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, had every intention of being with you at this important occasion. However, due to an equally important urgent national assignment, he is unable to be here in person. He has therefore asked me to represent him and to deliver this message on his behalf. I am therefore here in a representative capacity.
It is a profound honor to stand with you as we gather around the African Union’s 2025 Theme of the Year: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”. This year’s Africa Dialogue Series is not just an event; it is a platform for meaningful reflection, honest dialogue, and decisive action. We are here because the pursuit of justice remains unfinished, and the responsibility to repair and restore continues to echo with urgency and purpose.
Mr. President, reparatory justice is not a new demand, and it is certainly not theoretical. It comes from generations who resisted exploitation, who called for truth, and who stood firm in the face of dehumanization. Today’s theme is a reminder that acknowledgment without action is not enough. Justice cannot stop at apology. It must translate into tangible redress. Reparatory justice is not an act of charity; it is a right, as many have affirmed. And it is essential for moral balance and for long-term development.
The African Union has shown real leadership in putting reparations at the heart of the global conversation. From the Durban Declaration in 2001 to the AU Assembly’s decision on reparations, and more recently the Accra Declaration in 2022, the message is clear: Africa will not stay silent on this issue. These decisions represent not just formal positions but the will of a continent that refuses to let history’s wounds go unhealed.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, today’s dialogue reaches beyond the past. It speaks to the present realities and the continued impact of systems born out of historical injustice. The legacy of colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, apartheid, and structural racism is still visible. We see it in unequal education systems, in the underrepresentation of African countries in global institutions, and in the financial structures that fail to meet the needs of African economies and communities. True justice will only be possible when we commit to addressing both the roots and the branches of these issues.
When we speak of peaceful and inclusive societies, as envisioned in Sustainable Development Goal 16, we cannot avoid the deeper question of fairness. Reparatory justice offers us a powerful framework for addressing inequality at its core. It offers a path to transformation, not just surface-level solutions, and challenges us to confront hard truths with honesty and courage. Whether through policy reform, public education, or economic redress, we must be willing to make the changes that justice demands.
Momentum is building. In November 2023, Ghana, in collaboration with the African Union Commission, hosted the Accra Reparations Conference, which was a powerful moment of unity. The event brought together leaders from Africa and the Caribbean, representatives of the United Nations, civil society, academics, and diaspora communities. It served as a reminder that while our geographies may differ, our histories, struggles and aspirations are deeply connected.
Ghana’s continued leadership is commendable. So too is the African Union’s commitment to practical partnerships. In July 2024, the AU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund. This was an important step in building long-term collaboration on issues like human rights, good governance, justice, and healing. These are not just bureaucratic concerns. They are essential foundations for lasting peace and genuine progress.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, we are also witnessing encouraging development on the global stage. The United Nations Secretary-General has underscored the importance of reparatory justice, especially for people of African descent. He has called for more equitable representation in international institutions and a global financial system that better serves African nations. His latest report to the General Assembly recommends a comprehensive approach, one that is participatory, inclusive, and sensitive to gender and context. These are the kinds of ideas that move us forward.
Similarly, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has offered valuable guidance through the agenda for transformative change. That work emphasises the need to dismantle systemic racism and build accountability into our institutions. The message is consistent across all levels. Reparatory justice must be rooted in human rights and must aim to restore both dignity and opportunity.
As we reach the end of the first International Decade for People of African Descent and prepare to enter the second, we stand at a crossroads. This is a moment to gather the wisdom, experience, and energy of the past ten years and carry it into a more determined decade ahead. That means building stronger legal frameworks for reparations. It means teaching the next generation the truth about our shared history. And it means designing political and economic systems that recognize and uphold the value of African lives, culture, and leadership.
Today, I offer my full solidarity to the African Union, Pan-African Parliament, to the people of Africa, and to all people of African descent wherever they may be. I stand alongside the activists, the thinkers, the community leaders, and the everyday citizens who have kept this conversation alive and who continue to push it forward. Your voices matter. Your vision matters. And your efforts are shaping a more just world.
Let us not forget that reparations are about more than the past. They are about the future we want to create. A future where our children can grow up in societies that are just, fair, and free from discrimination. A future where historical truth is taught, not hidden. Where dignity is protected, not denied.
I urge the international community, governments, Parliaments, institutions, the private sector, the media, and individuals to engage with this agenda in good faith. This is not a burden that Africa must carry alone. This is a global challenge that demands global responsibility. Justice delayed must not be justice denied.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, inclusion, let this Africa Dialogue Series be more than just a conversation. Let it be a turning point. Let it ignite real actions, forge strong partnerships, and inspire courageous leadership. We are not starting from scratch; we are building on decades of advocacy, legal progress, and moral clarity.
Together, we can transform reparatory justice from a distant hope into a lived and lasting reality.
Thank you.
