ST JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda: Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has welcomed the United Kingdom’s reported willingness to consider a formal apology and structured dialogue on reparatory justice for its role in the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.
Ablakwa made the remarks following his first bilateral meeting at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, where he held talks with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Ed Miliband.
The Ghanaian minister said he conveyed the commendations of President John Mahama, the Ghanaian government and its people over what he described as a historic announcement by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham the previous week.
According to Ablakwa, the announcement indicated that Britain was now open to a formal apology and structured good faith dialogue on reparatory justice, taking into account its historical role in the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.
He described the development as an important step in a broader international effort to address the historical injustices associated with slavery, particularly following the adoption of a Ghana-led United Nations resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement of Africans the gravest crime against humanity.
“It has been greatly inspiring witnessing the monumental impact of the Ghana-led landmark UN resolution declaring the transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity,” Ablakwa said.
Ghana, working alongside partners in the African Union (AU), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and a wider international coalition, is prepared to engage the UK in discussions aimed at achieving what the minister described as genuine healing, reconciliation, restitution and repair.
He said the wider objective was to help create a world free from racism and discrimination.
“As President Mahama has acknowledged, the Government of Ghana congratulates the UK for this bold decision,” Ablakwa said.
He also praised Burnham and Miliband, describing their position as an act of courage and moral leadership.
“Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband have demonstrated admirable courage and moral leadership. It is rather the weak and cowards who fear to say sorry. Posterity shall remember them kindly.”
The minister further said Ghana would continue to welcome European countries that abstained during the defining United Nations vote, indicating Accra’s readiness to maintain engagement with countries that may not have supported the resolution.
Ablakwa described the development as a proud moment for Ghanaian foreign policy, adding that the country would remain focused on securing progress for its citizens and the generations affected by the legacy of slavery.
“Reparatory Justice is the real winner!” he said.
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