THE PRESIDENT of Ghana has called for Africa to unite in the fight for reparations for slavery. 

President Nana Akufo-Addo, made the comments while speaking at a four-day reparations conference in Accra. 

He also urged African countries to work with Caribbean nations calling for reparations for the horrors endured during transatlantic slave trade.

“No amount of money can restore the damage caused by the transatlantic slave trade and its consequences. But surely, this is a matter that the world must confront and can no longer ignore,” Mr Akufo-Addo said at the conference with African leaders.

Mr Akufo-Addo also demanded European countries issue a formal apology to the entire African continent for slavery and the legacy of colonialism.

“Even before these discussions on reparations conclude, the entire continent of Africa deserves a formal apology from the European nations involved in the slave trade,” he added.

According to the recently published landmark Brattle Report, Britain owes a staggering £18.6 trillion in reparations – which is over five times the country’s annual gross domestic product.

Mr Akufo-Addo noted that progress in Africa what halted because of slavery and this would be difficult to quantify into financial reparations.

“The entire period of slavery meant that our progress, economically, culturally, and psychologically, was stifled. There are legions of stories of families who were torn apart,” Mr Akufo-Addo said. 

“You cannot quantify the effects of such tragedies, but they need to be recognised.”

In April, several Caribbean leaders demanded reparations for slavery at the historic State of the Black World Conference (SOBWC)  in the United States. 

Referring to the Caribbean’s demands for reparations, Mr Akufo-Addo said: “We in Africa must work together with them to advance the cause.” 

 The four-day conference in Accra is expected to led to the creation of an African-led plan for reparatory justice, including a team that will take the agenda further.