Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has underscored the critical importance of seeking reparations from Europe for historical injustices. This significant stance was highlighted in her video message at the ACCRA Reparations Conference, a key event hosted in Ghana’s Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.
The conference, themed “Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations to Africans,” is poised to create a pivotal dialogue on reparations for colonialism, apartheid, and slavery. It serves as a vital meeting ground for experts, policymakers, academics, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including the Caribbean Region, the Americas, the United Nations, and the African Union.
According to Dr. Barnett, the CARICOM Heads of Government are firmly in agreement that forging a collaborative path with Africa is essential for progressing the reparations justice agenda. The conference is viewed as a strategic opportunity to develop a unified approach between the Caribbean and Africa.
The Secretary-General further highlighted CARICOM’s welcome of the African Union’s initiative to establish a common position on reparations and its roadmap for future collaborations. She stressed the timeliness of the Accra Conference in facilitating meaningful dialogue on this crucial agenda.
Reflecting the growing ties between CARICOM and Africa, Dr. Barnett pointed out recent milestones in this partnership. Notable among these are the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forums held in Barbados and Guyana, the AU-ECOSOCC Study Tour on Reparations in Barbados, and participation in the Reparations and Racial Healing Summit in Ghana.
As the conference progresses, the aim is to create a cohesive and powerful voice across CARICOM, Africa, and the diaspora, advocating for reparations for the trans-Atlantic trade in enslaved Africans, chattel enslavement, and native genocide. This conference marks a significant step in international cooperation and justice, setting the stage for future collaborations and impactful resolutions.
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