Presidential Special Envoy for Reparations, H.E. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, has emphasized the importance of the African Union’s decision to dedicate a 10-year period to reparations, describing it as a vital timeframe for tackling longstanding historical injustices.
Speaking on AM Show on March 31, Dr. Ekwow noted that the reparations process is being guided by existing resolutions, which set out key expectations such as the need for acknowledgment of past wrongs as a basis for constructive dialogue.
He explained that these resolutions include specific components that must be converted into practical actions, with designated institutions responsible for rolling out structured programmes over time.
“The resolution provides what people seek to understand, but it must be translated into activities,” he said, adding that Ghana’s Office of Global Operations has already designed a five-year plan to support phased implementation.
He further stressed that reparations go beyond policy-level discussions, incorporating psychological and spiritual aspects that are essential for genuine reconciliation and meaningful engagement.
The issue has attracted global interest, impacting over 150 countries, with international stakeholders—including French institutions operating in Ghana—expressing involvement in the process.
Dr. Ekwow pointed out that the African Union’s decade-long timeline reflects the complexity of reparations, which require extensive consultations, including translations, negotiations, and consensus-building among nations.
At the regional level, he noted that developments within ECOWAS also influence the process, particularly as changing dynamics in the Sahel affect broader cooperation.
He added that Ghana continues to play an active role, highlighting that the country’s Tourism Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, currently holds a leadership position within the reparations council.