By S.Browne. Updated 11:20 a.m., Saturday, July 25, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Former Prime Minister Dr Ralph E. Gonsalves has been invited by the Government of Ghana to serve as a member of the newly established Global Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice, in recognition of his longstanding advocacy for reparatory justice and contribution to Caribbean integration.
The invitation was extended by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following Dr Gonsalves’ participation in the High Level Consultative Conference on the next steps following the adoption of the landmark United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250 on the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialised Chattel Enslavement of Africans.
The conference was held in Accra, Ghana, from June 17 to 19, 2026, bringing together Heads of State and Government, ministers, eminent jurists, scholars, representatives of regional and international organisations, civil society and members of the African diaspora to consider measures required to advance implementation of the landmark UN resolution.
The invitation was conveyed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs in a letter dated July 21, 2026.
In his letter, Ablakwa said participants adopted the Accra Next Steps Commitments, which provide “a strategic framework for strengthening transcontinental cooperation and advancing a coordinated programme of action in support of reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent.”
He said one of the conference’s key decisions was the establishment of the Global Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice.
“The Council is intended to guide the implementation of the United Nations Resolution, strengthen cooperation among Africa, the African diaspora and partner institutions, and promote a coordinated global approach to reparatory justice,” Ablakwa wrote.
Inviting Dr Gonsalves to serve on the body, Ablakwa said, “In recognition of Your Excellency’s distinguished statesmanship, longstanding contribution to Caribbean integration and unwavering advocacy for reparatory justice, it is my honour to invite you to serve as a Member of the Global Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice.”
He added, “Your leadership and experience would make an invaluable contribution to the work of the Council and help strengthen the political leadership, strategic direction and international partnerships required to advance the implementation of the Resolution.”
Following the invitation, Dr Gonsalves publicly expressed his appreciation in a post on his Facebook page.
“I’m so deeply honored to be invited to serve as a Member of the Global Advisory Council on Reparatory Justice. Gratitude as well to the government and people of the Republic of Ghana for their leadership in this struggle,” he wrote.
According to the letter, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will serve as the secretariat to the council and will communicate further details regarding its programme of work, terms of reference, modalities of engagement and inaugural meeting in due course.
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