Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has strongly criticised comments made by UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch regarding reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, intensifying an already sensitive global debate over historical accountability and justice.
The exchange comes in the wake of renewed international attention on reparations following a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, which described the transatlantic slave trade as the “gravest crime against humanity” and called for reparatory justice. The resolution, championed by Ghana, reflects a growing push among African nations to address the enduring consequences of centuries of enslavement and exploitation.
Shortly after the resolution was passed on March 25, 2025, Badenoch publicly rejected the idea that the United Kingdom should be held financially responsible. In a post on X, she argued that Britain should not be expected to pay for what she described as a historical crime that it later played a role in ending. She also criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for abstaining from the vote rather than opposing it, questioning the decision in strong terms.
Her remarks drew a swift and firm response from Ablakwa, who described her position as historically inaccurate and lacking proper context. Speaking in an interview with an international broadcaster, he stated that her comments were “an opinion that is clearly not the fact,” and pointed to well documented historical evidence showing that British slave owners were compensated when slavery was abolished.
According to Ablakwa, this historical reality undermines the argument that present day taxpayers should not bear any responsibility. He noted that public funds were used to compensate those who benefited from slavery, while the enslaved themselves and their descendants received nothing.
He expressed concern that Badenoch’s position appeared to prioritise modern fiscal arguments while overlooking past injustices that were financially supported by the state. He described this as deeply troubling and urged a more informed and reflective approach to the issue.
The disagreement has once again exposed deep divisions between African countries and Western governments over how to address the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. While many African states, supported by the African Union, are advocating for formal apologies and compensation, several Western nations, including the United Kingdom, have expressed reservations about the legal, financial, and political implications of reparations.
Badenoch, who is of Nigerian descent, has found herself at the centre of this controversy, with her comments sparking debate both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Supporters of her position argue that contemporary governments should not be held accountable for actions carried out centuries ago. Critics, however, maintain that the long term economic and social impacts of slavery continue to affect African nations and people of African descent around the world.
According to voting records at the United Nations, the resolution received overwhelming support, with 123 countries voting in favour. However, it also revealed divisions within the international community, as countries such as Argentina, Israel, and the United States voted against it, while 52 nations abstained.
The transatlantic slave trade, which lasted for more than 400 years, saw millions of Africans forcibly taken from their homes, transported across the Atlantic under brutal conditions, and subjected to forced labour in the Americas and Europe. Enslaved individuals were stripped of their identities, separated from their families, and subjected to generations of exploitation and dehumanisation.
The effects of this system continue to resonate today. Persistent inequality, systemic racism, and economic disparities affecting people of African descent are often linked to the historical foundations of slavery and colonialism.
In West Africa, historical accounts such as that of Kunta Kinteh in The Gambia serve as powerful reminders of the human cost of the slave trade. Stories like his illustrate how individuals were captured, displaced, and forced into lives of hardship far from their homeland.
Ghana has positioned itself at the forefront of the reparations movement, advocating for global recognition of the injustices of slavery and meaningful steps toward redress. Speaking on behalf of the African Group ahead of the United Nations vote, President John Dramani Mahama emphasised that the scale, duration, brutality, and lasting impact of the slave trade justify its classification as the gravest crime against humanity.
He stressed that the issue is not only about the past, but also about addressing present day inequalities that can be traced back to historical exploitation.
Supporting this perspective, various academic and policy discussions have highlighted the broader context of economic injustice. A publication examining external debt, climate debt, and reparations argued that it is deeply unfair for African nations to carry heavy financial burdens while wealthier countries avoid responsibility for historical and structural inequalities.
This argument has gained traction among advocates who see reparations as part of a broader framework for global justice. They point out that while slave owners received compensation after abolition, those who suffered the most were excluded from any form of restitution.
The exchange between Ablakwa and Badenoch reflects the ongoing tension between differing interpretations of history and responsibility. It also underscores how unresolved historical grievances continue to influence modern diplomacy and international relations.
For Ghana and many other African nations, the call for reparations is not merely symbolic. It is part of a wider effort to confront historical injustice, promote fairness, and reshape global narratives around accountability.
As the debate continues, it is likely to remain a contentious issue, with strong opinions on both sides. What is clear, however, is that the conversation around reparations is gaining momentum, and its implications will continue to shape discussions on justice, equality, and international cooperation.
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