(Photo Credit: myjoyonline.com) |
African leaders converging at the inaugural Accra Reparations Conference (ARC) have rallied for reparation and restitution to rectify the enduring impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. They underscored that the relentless injustices and inhumane treatment experienced during this tragic period continue to shadow African society and its diaspora, robbing generations of their self-esteem, dignity, and image.
READ ALSO: President Akufo-Addo Advocates Harnessing Nuclear Energy to Empower Africa
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's Address
Addressing the opening session, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo described the trans-Atlantic slave trade as a barbaric episode in human history, asserting that its devastating repercussions stifled the progress of Africa economically, culturally, and psychologically. He emphatically termed reparations for Africa and its diaspora as long overdue, emphasizing the gravity of the tragedy's far-reaching effects, making the call for justice a matter of utmost urgency.
Conference Objectives
The Accra Reparations Conference, co-organized by Ghana and the African Union (AU) Commission, seeks to foster dialogue, knowledge exchange, and actionable strategies among diverse stakeholders. The conference aims to facilitate discussions on reparations, exploring legal and moral grounds, truth-telling, reconciliation, and healing mechanisms within African societies and relationships with former colonial powers.
Collective Response
In alignment with these objectives, President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that the conference would delineate a sustainable plan for reparatory justice in Africa, underscoring the justness of calls for reparations and emphasizing the need for acknowledgment, reconciliation, and healing.
Collective Responsibility and Foreign Partnerships
Furthermore, African leaders stressed collective responsibility in partnership with the African diaspora to correct historical injustices, pave the way for sustainable growth and development, and transform the cycle of impoverishment into one of shared prosperity. This underscores a commitment to charting a course for justice while repairing the wounds of the past and present.
READ ALSO: Majority Leader Urges Government To Consider Public Sector Rationalization
Conclusion
The Accra Reparations Conference stands as a clarion call for rectifying historical injustices and charting a new path forward, fostering healing, reconciliation, and justice. Through this pivotal gathering and calls for reparations, African leaders are acknowledging the profound impact of this tragic period and advocating for a transformative approach to reparatory justice as a means to redress these enduring legacies.
https://bfmnetworknews.blogspot.com
Comments
Post a Comment