President John Dramani Mahama has announced the establishment of three global panels to drive the next phase of the international campaign for reparatory justice following the adoption of a landmark United Nations resolution on the transatlantic slave trade and racialized chattel enslavement.
Speaking at the Heads of State session of the Next Steps High-Level Consultative Conference in Accra on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the President said the international community must now move from recognition of historical injustices to concrete action.
“To ensure the momentum generated by Resolution A/RES/80/250 is sustained and translated into practical outcomes, I’m pleased to announce the establishment of three global panels which will serve as the pillars of the next phase of this international effort,” Mahama stated.
He explained that the first body, the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice, would bring together heads of state, government leaders and eminent public figures to provide strategic guidance for advancing international dialogue and cooperation.
“The first is a global advisory panel on reparatory justice comprising heads of states and governments, eminent leaders and public figures who will provide strategic guidance to advance international dialogue and cooperation on reparatory justice,” he said.
The President further announced the creation of an Expert Panel on the Restitution of Cultural Artifacts to support efforts aimed at returning cultural properties, archives, sacred objects and historical treasures to their rightful owners.
“The second is an expert panel on the restitution of cultural artifacts which will support efforts to facilitate the return of all cultural properties, archives, sacred objects and historical treasures to their rightful communities and countries of origin,” he noted.
Mahama said a third body, the Global Legal Panel on Reparatory Justice, would bring together legal experts and scholars to explore avenues for advancing reparatory justice through international law.
“The third is a global legal panel on reparatory justice which will bring together distinguished jurists and legal scholars to explore legal pathways, deepen legal understanding and develop approaches that are consistent with international law, human dignity and justice,” he added.
The President stressed that the panels were not intended to replace governments or international institutions but rather to strengthen ongoing efforts through technical expertise and policy support.
“These panels are not intended to replace the work of governments, regional organizations or international institutions. Rather they are intended to strengthen that work by providing intellectual, technical and policy support as the international community advances from recognition to implementation,” Mahama said.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would help establish a practical international roadmap for truth-telling, memorialisation, restitution of cultural heritage and legal engagement as the global movement for reparatory justice gathers momentum.Bottom of Form
Source: Mubarak Yakubu
