On Tuesday 14 November 2023, Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé attended a conference in Accra on behalf of the President of the Republic SEM Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. The African Union conference was chaired by the Ghanaian Head of State, HEM Nana Akufo-Addo, under the theme: “Building a united front to advance the cause of justice and reparations for Africans.”
The conference, which run until 17 November, brought together political leaders from the African continent and the Caribbean region, academics, civil society actors and relevant stakeholders to hold substantive discussions, share best practices and map out concrete strategies to promote and advance a continental initiative for restorative justice. The conference is also expected to come up with an action plan for a sustainable restorative justice process in Africa.
The conference will also examine the legal and moral foundations of reparations and explore various models of reparation and justice, build a united front and strengthen collaboration between African countries, the diaspora, civil society organisations and political decision-makers. Furthermore, the conference is due to identify opportunities for collaboration to advance the cause of reparations and justice.
During the conference, several panels will discuss a wide range of topics, including: understanding reparations; historical contexts and contemporary perspectives; policies, strategies and challenges in implementing reparations; and building bridges, collaboration, education and the way forward.
On behalf of the Head of State, His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the Prime Minister congratulated Ghana on the initiative to advocate for reparations and for healing the entrenched legacies of slavery and colonialism. She praised the efforts of the African Union in this struggle.
“The issue of seeking reparations for the historical crimes committed against the peoples of Africa that we are convening today is not just a quest for financial compensation, it is an odyssey through time reflecting the aspirations and experiences of an entire continent and its diaspora. Our journey must begin with a retrospective examination of the crimes committed against African peoples both through the slave trade and during the era of colonialism. Restorative justice is rooted in the recognition of the immeasurable atrocities inflicted on our ancestors,” declared Mrs Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé.
According to the Head of Government, “the aspirations of African people in the context of reparations go beyond mere financial compensation. Reparations for the African continent embody the desire for full redress of grievances. It is a call for the restoration of dignity, the recognition of cultural heritage and the empowerment of a people whose journey has been marked by both struggle and resilience.”
“As we echo the positions of the African Union and partner nations, Togo stands ready to tackle the complexities of this transformative journey,” she said.
www.primature.gouv.tg
