Thousands of workers, trade unionists, activists, and social movements from across Africa poured into the streets of Accra on Friday, August 29, demanding reparative justice and freedom from what they described as illegitimate debt crippling the continent’s development.
The Pan-African Rally for Debt Cancellation and Trade Justice, organised by the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) in partnership with the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), was held under the theme “Reparations and Reparative Justice for an African Financial Architecture and Transformation.”
Speakers at the rally condemned the global financial system for perpetuating historical injustices against Africa, insisting that reparations for slavery, colonial exploitation, and resource plunder must go hand-in-hand with the cancellation of Africa’s debt.
The General Secretary of the TUC criticised creditor institutions for manipulating financial markets to Africa’s detriment, calling for unconditional debt cancellation and the creation of African-controlled credit agencies.
The Pan-African Progressive Front (PPF), which played a prominent role in the rally, stressed the need for a people-centred economic transformation. “Africa’s future cannot be built on the burden of illegitimate debt. Our people have been forced to pay for a system that keeps us poor while enriching others,” said Mr. Sumaila Mohammed, Coordinator of the PPF’s Mutual Economic and Reparations Programme. “This march is about justice. We are demanding reparations for centuries of slavery, colonial exploitation, and resource plunder.”
The movement also linked the campaign to wider Pan-African initiatives. On September 9, Accra will host the launch of “Reparations: History, Struggle, Politics and Law,” a new book by Kwesi Pratt Jr., endorsed by President John Dramani Mahama. Reparations will also feature prominently at the International Conference marking the 80th anniversary of the Fifth Pan-African Congress, where delegates are expected to deliberate on strategies for African unity and economic sovereignty.
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, who received a petition on behalf of President Mahama, acknowledged the concerns of the demonstrators and underscored the need for a collective African response to global financial imbalances.
The rally ended with a united call to action: urging African governments, global institutions, and progressive movements to work together to achieve reparative justice, cancel Africa’s debts, and build an independent financial architecture that prioritises people over profit.
