Nobel laureate and renowned Nigerian playwright Professor Wole Soyinka has argued that elements of the slave trade persist in modern forms across Africa, citing the kidnapping and trafficking of children and young people into what he described as contemporary slave markets. Speaking at the opening of the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice in Accra on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Prof. Soyinka said discussions on reparations must also confront ongoing forms of human exploitation on the continent. “That sector which agitates me most, you have what I call the conglomeratives of perpetual iniquity,” he said. “I refer to the extant...
Ablakwa says critics of UN slavery resolution are ‘revising their notes’ as reparations gain momentum
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says people who once dismissed Ghana’s United Nations resolution on the trans-Atlantic slave trade as merely an academic exercise is now being proven wrong, as reparatory justice gains global traction through apologies, acknowledgements and policy shifts. Addressing heads of state, foreign ministers, scholars and members of the African diaspora, Mr Ablakwa said the issue of reparatory justice has moved beyond academic debate into firm global policy engagement. He said that those who once dismissed the UN resolution must now be “revising their notes.” He noted that the UN resolution, which declared the trans-Atlantic slave...
Macron Announces Memorial to Honour Human Rights and Slavery Victims
French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans for France to establish a memorial site in 2027 dedicated to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to commemorate the transatlantic slave trade. Delivering a virtual address to the ongoing Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice in Accra, President Macron explained that the memorial would serve as a space for remembrance, education, and reflection on the history and legacy of slavery. He stressed that the facility would be designed to ensure the experiences of enslaved peoples are remembered and transmitted to future generations, while deepening global understanding of human rights and historical...
Minority Caucus Backs Presbyterian Church’s Anti-Galamsey Campaign, Calls for Institutionalized Fight
The Minority in Parliament has thrown its weight behind the Presbyterian Church of Ghana’s nationwide anti-galamsey initiative, dubbed “The Red Sunday,” describing it as a timely intervention in the fight against illegal mining. In a statement issued on June 17, 2026, the Caucus commended the Church for mobilizing its congregations across the country to raise awareness of the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment, water bodies, and communities. The Minority emphasized that the campaign reflects a growing national consensus that illegal mining must be tackled beyond partisan lines. The statement noted that while successive governments have rolled out initiatives...
Education Minister Confirms No Arrears Under “No Fee Stress” Policy
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has assured Parliament that there are no outstanding arrears under the government’s “No Fee Stress” initiative for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years, emphasizing that all required funds have been fully released and are currently being disbursed. Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, June 18, Mr. Iddrisu referenced earlier assurances given at Takoradi Technical University regarding government’s commitment to financing technical education nationwide. He recalled that during that engagement, it was indicated that by 2027, the GETFund would allocate a minimum of GHS 10 million to each technical university, amounting to a total...
OSP Clarifies Legal Threshold for Trial in Absentia in Ofori-Atta Case
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has clarified that the issue of whether former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta can be tried in absentia has not yet arisen, stressing that the constitutional requirements have not been satisfied since formal service of charges has not been completed. In an explainer, the OSP’s Director of Strategy, Research, and Communications, Sammy Darko, underscored that the legal framework for trial in absentia is narrowly defined and only begins once an accused person has been properly charged and officially served under constitutional procedures. He described the current public debate as premature. “Trial in absentia is...
Education Minister Reports 312,448 Students Benefited from “No Fee Stress” Policy
Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has revealed that a total of 312,448 students have so far benefited from the government’s “No Fee Stress” initiative across the 2024 and 2025 academic years, at a cumulative cost of GHS 888.8 million. Addressing Parliament on Thursday, June 18, Mr. Iddrisu detailed the distribution of beneficiaries under the policy and related measures aimed at broadening access to higher education. “Speaker, the new academic fee policy 2024–25 academic year, 152,698 validated first-year students benefited at a cost of GHS 399,374,727,” he stated. He continued that in the 2025 academic year, “ongoing 159,750 students have benefited...
Ashanti South Police Arrest Suspect in Car Snatching Robberies
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a series of car snatching robberies and vehicle thefts across the Ashanti Region. The suspect, identified as William Opoku, also known as Father Blessing, was picked up during an intelligence-led operation at Ahwiaa near Kumasi after Police traced hideouts used by him and his gang at Ahwiaa and Pankrono. During interrogation, Opoku admitted involvement in several vehicle thefts, including the stealing of a Toyota Corolla on the Anwiankwanta–Asanso stretch, a Police officer’s Toyota Corolla at Pankrono, another Toyota Corolla at Moro Market, and a white Toyota...
Ghana High Commission in Canada Expresses Gratitude for World Cup Ticket Support
The Ghana High Commission in Ottawa has extended appreciation to President H.E. John Dramani Mahama for providing FIFA World Cup tickets to Ghanaians in Canada, enabling them to support the Black Stars at the global tournament. In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Mission explained that the tickets were distributed through Ghanaian Community Associations across Canada using a random selection process. The High Commission acknowledged the limited number of tickets available and commended the cooperation of the Ghanaian community during the distribution exercise. Special gratitude was also conveyed to Hon. Kofi Adams, Minister for Sports and Recreation, and Hon....
Police Caution Students Ahead of WASSCE Completion
As final-year students across the country prepare to complete the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) on Friday, June 19, the Ghana Police Service has urged candidates to remain disciplined, law-abiding, and to celebrate responsibly after their examinations. In a statement, the Service reminded students that acts of violence, vandalism, arson, assault, and other unlawful conduct carry serious criminal consequences that could permanently jeopardize their futures and derail the academic careers they have worked hard to build. The Police cautioned that it will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any student found engaging in such misconduct. The warning follows...