Ghana to Host High-Level Global Conference on Historical Justice in June 2026
The Government of Ghana has announced plans to host an international high-level conference in Accra in June 2026, as part of renewed global efforts to address historical justice, remembrance, and the enduring legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by Government Communications Spokesperson and Min in the transatlantic slave trade.
In his encyclical, the Pope described slavery as “a wound in Christian memory” and issued an apology on behalf of the Church for its complicity in the transatlantic slave trade and related systems of oppression.
Reacting to the apology, the Government of Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners, faith-based organisations, civil society groups, and the global community to advance efforts toward historical justice, remembrance, and the restoration of human dignity.
According to the statement, Ghana will host the High-Level Consultative Conference in Accra from June 17 to June 19, 2026. The event, convened by President John Dramani Mahama, will focus on outlining the next steps following the adoption of a key resolution aimed at sustaining global engagement on historical justice, remembrance, and human dignity.
“The conference will provide a platform to deepen discussions and strengthen international cooperation on issues of historical accountability and reconciliation,” the statement noted.
The government further described the Pope’s apology as “an act of moral courage” and a significant contribution to the ongoing global pursuit of truth, justice, and human dignity.
It emphasized that the apology comes at a critical time when the world is increasingly reflecting on the impacts of slavery and colonialism. According to the statement, confronting these historical injustices requires honesty, truth-telling, and a shared sense of moral responsibility.
“Honest recognition of this painful history remains an essential step toward healing, reconciliation, and a more just future,” it added.
President John Dramani Mahama was also cited as describing the development as a significant milestone in ongoing international discussions on historical accountability.
At the recent United Nations General Assembly, President Mahama presented a motion seeking to declare the transatlantic slave trade and the enslavement of Africans as “the gravest crime against humanity,” describing the move as a landmark effort to preserve historical memory and promote justice.
Ghana expressed optimism that countries yet to support the resolution would eventually align with its objectives and actively participate in its implementation.
President Mahama also conveyed appreciation to Pope Leo XIV for the apology and reiterated Ghana’s readiness to engage with the international community in advancing truth, healing, and reconciliation.
