Ghana and the United Kingdom have made significant progress towards the establishment of a Structured Dialogue on Reparatory Justice following a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.
The meeting, held on November 2, brought together Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Rt. Hon. Ed Miliband MP.
The discussions focused on advancing efforts to establish a formal framework for dialogue on reparatory justice, a subject that has gained momentum following recent international engagements on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
The two ministers welcomed progress made toward the proposed dialogue and discussed arrangements for the appointment of African and Caribbean co-chairs. Ghana has already secured consensus within the African Union for the African Co-Chair position.
The meeting also considered a proposed 12-month process that would facilitate substantive discussions on issues including historical justice, education, cultural restitution, climate justice, debt sustainability and reforms to the international financial architecture.
Both sides underscored the importance of finalising the parameters and modalities governing the dialogue before the end of 2026.
Beyond reparatory justice, the ministers discussed the future of Asante cultural artefacts currently held by the British Museum, bilateral security cooperation and outstanding concerns relating to the United Kingdom’s International English Language Testing System (IELTS) requirements.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Ghana-United Kingdom relations and deepening collaboration on matters of shared interest.
Commenting on the broader significance of the initiative, Mr Ablakwa described as inspiring the global impact of Ghana’s landmark United Nations resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
He also welcomed the announcement by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham that Britain was prepared to engage in a formal apology and structured good-faith dialogue on reparatory justice in relation to its historical role in the transatlantic slave trade.
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ghana, together with its partners in the African Union (AU), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the wider global coalition, stands ready to work with the United Kingdom towards healing, reconciliation, restitution and the elimination of racism and discrimination.
Mr Ablakwa praised both Prime Minister Burnham and Foreign Secretary Miliband for what he described as courageous and morally responsible leadership on the issue, expressing optimism that ongoing engagement would pave the way for meaningful progress in the pursuit of reparatory justice.
The development marks another step in growing international efforts to address historical injustices linked to the transatlantic slave trade and their enduring impact on African and Caribbean communities.