EU signals support for reparations talks ahead of Accra summit
The European Union has expressed support for Ghana’s ongoing reparatory justice dialogue, pledging to engage constructively in a high-level consultative conference scheduled for June 17 to 19, 2026, in Accra.
The assurance was given by the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, during an engagement between the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and members of the diplomatic corps in Accra on Wednesday, April 29.
Ambassador Skinnebach reaffirmed Europe’s willingness to participate in the dialogue, referencing recent discussions between Emmanuel Macron and John Dramani Mahama during the latter’s visit to France.
“I just want to reconfirm, as was confirmed to the President when he was in France also a couple of weeks ago, that Europe wants to engage constructively in this debate,” he said.
He added that the EU stood ready to support Africa’s broader efforts towards healing.
“We support you in your endeavours of healing and there is a lot of goodwill. Let’s use this goodwill to the benefit of all,” Ambassador Skinnebach stated.
Call for balanced and inclusive dialogue
The Ambassador commended the Foreign Affairs Minister for the tone of engagement and the passage of the recent United Nations resolution on the trafficking of enslaved Africans.
“I want to take the opportunity to congratulate you Honourable Minister for the passage of this resolution and specifically for gathering us here today for the reconciliatory tone that you have laid out, which is so important for this issue to be pursued by all in a constructive manner rather than becoming a polarising factor in an already fragmented world,” he said.
He cautioned, however, that sustaining such a tone would be critical to the success of the upcoming conference.
“It will be very difficult for you to manage that it does not become another echo chamber where polarising forces are taking over and where you will reach the level of nuance that you have so well displayed in your intervention today,” he noted.
UN vote and global context
The EU, made up of 27 member states, joined 25 other countries, including the United Kingdom, in abstaining from the vote at the UN General Assembly on Resolution A/RES/80/250, which declares the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity.
The vote, held on March 25, 2026, saw 123 countries support the resolution, while the United States, Israel and Argentina voted against it.
President Mahama, in his role as the African Union’s champion for reparations, led efforts alongside the Caribbean Community to secure the resolution’s passage.
Ghana welcomes EU commitment
Mr Ablakwa welcomed the EU’s commitment, describing it as a positive signal that common ground could be reached on the issue.
“I’m excited about the contributions that you have all made, particularly from Europe. A lot of Ghanaians have been worried, and even analysts and pundits have said that if the people you must engage with have disengaged so quickly and are abstaining, then is there any hope, can you make progress,” he said.
“But what we have heard from the EU today is very, very gladdening, and it shows that there is indeed hope, and that we can find common ground,” the Minister added.
He expressed confidence that continued dialogue among all parties would help overcome differences and advance the reparatory justice agenda.
