AU’s 10-year reparations agenda is essential to address historic injustices – Spio-Garbrah

Presidential Special Envoy for reparations H.E. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has underscored the significance of the African Union’s decision to declare a 10-year period dedicated to reparations, describing it as a necessary timeline to address complex historical injustices.

Speaking on AM Show on March 31, Dr Ekwow said the reparations process is guided by existing resolutions that outline key expectations, including calls for acknowledgment of past wrongs as a foundation for dialogue.

He explained that these resolutions contain detailed elements that must be broken down into actionable steps, with institutions tasked to implement structured programmes over time.

“The resolution provides what people seek to understand, but it must be translated into activities,” he said, noting that Ghana’s Office of Global Operations has already developed a five-year plan to guide implementation in phases.

The reparations effort, he stressed, extends beyond policy discussions, incorporating psychological and spiritual dimensions that are critical to fostering reconciliation and meaningful engagement.

The issue has gained global attention, affecting more than 150 countries, with international stakeholders, including French institutions operating in Ghana, showing interest in the process.

Dr Ekwow highlighted that the decade-long timeline declared by the African Union reflects the reality that reparations require extensive consultations, including translations, negotiations, and consensus-building across different nations.

At the regional level, developments within the ECOWAS also play a role, with shifting dynamics in the Sahel influencing broader cooperation efforts.

Ghana, he added, remains actively engaged in the process, with the country’s tourism minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, holding a leadership role within the reparation’s council.

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