The resolution affirms that the legacy of transatlantic slavery persists in structural inequalities, racial injustice, and underdevelopment affecting Africa and its diaspora. It must now be followed by concrete measures, including formal apologies, restitution, compensation, and guarantees of non-repetition.

This development reinforces the ITUC and ITUC-Africa’s long-standing position, advanced through its debt campaign, that Africa’s current debt burdens are rooted in historical injustices and structural imbalances in the global economic system. Therefore, ITUC-Africa calls on other African governments and institutions to stand with Ghana and advance a common continental agenda on reparations. The ITUC calls on governments worldwide to support this African leadership and its call for justice in solidarity. The struggle, however, extends beyond recognition.

The structures that sustained slavery—extractivism, labour exploitation, and external control of African economies—persist in new forms. Unequal trade relations, resource extraction, and debt dependency continue to constrain development and undermine workers’ rights.
For African workers, these realities are reflected in precarious employment, weak industrialisation, limited value addition, persistent inequality, and widespread energy poverty.
The call for reparatory justice is inseparable from the struggle for economic transformation, energy sovereignty, and social justice.

Further, we continue to argue and advocate for corrections of these ills by insisting that a cease-and-desist socio-economic arrangement towards Africa, especially by advanced economies that directly and indirectly participated and benefited from Africa’s slavery pains, be put in place, and commensurate compensations are made, including the halt to Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) and debt forgiveness.

We insist that this resolution must lead to action. Africa’s freedom will be realised through economic emancipation—through control of its resources, transformation of its economies, and delivery of decent work and social justice.

ITUC and ITUC-Africa call on the international community, particularly former colonial powers, to engage in dialogue on reparations and take concrete steps toward justice.
The struggle continues. Africa must remain united in the pursuit of justice, dignity, and economic liberation.

Signed by Akhator Joel ODIGIE, General Secretary, ITUC-Africa, Lome – Togo and Luc Triangle, General Secretary, ITUC, Brussels - Belgium, 27th March 2026.

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