Thousands of workers, trade unionists, activists, and social movements from across the continent converged in Accra on Friday, August 29, for the Pan-African Rally for Debt Cancellation and Trade Justice. The demonstrators called for reparations, reparative justice, and freedom from the crippling debt burden that continues to undermine Africa’s development.
Held under the theme “Reparations and Reparative Justice for an African Financial Architecture and Transformation,” the rally formed part of broader efforts to highlight the historical injustices inflicted upon Africa and to challenge the unjust global financial system.
The event was organised by the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), in partnership with the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Speaking on debt reparations, the General Secretary of the TUC decried the manipulation of financial markets by creditor institutions and the systemic exploitation of Africa. The union demanded the total and unconditional cancellation of African debts and called for the establishment of African credit agencies to counter the dominance of Western institutions.
Among the movements present was the Pan-African Progressive Front (PPF), which advocated for a people-centred economic transformation to free Africa from exploitative debt regimes. The PPF stressed that reparations and debt cancellation must go hand-in-hand with building a new African financial architecture rooted in justice, sovereignty, and self-determination.
Mr. Sumaila Mohammed, Coordinator of the Mutual Economic and Reparations Programme of the PPF, stated:
“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. This march is about justice. We are demanding reparations for centuries of slavery, colonial exploitation, and resource plunder.”
On September 9, 2025, Accra will also host the launch of a significant new book, “Reparations: History, Struggle, Politics and Law,” authored by Kwesi Pratt Jr. The book has already received a strong endorsement from President John Dramani Mahama, who wrote:
“The transatlantic slave trade, European colonialism, and the religious, economic, and political justifications were not accidental episodes in human history.”
The PPF further confirmed that reparations will be a central theme at the forthcoming 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.
The message from the rally was clear: Africa must move beyond dependency and develop economic systems that serve its people. Mr. Mohammed emphasised:
“This rally is a step toward reclaiming Africa’s dignity, cancelling illegitimate debts, and building an economy anchored in Pan-African solidarity.”
The event drew solidarity from unions, social movements, and government officials. Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, representing President John Dramani Mahama, accepted the petition and acknowledged the significance of the call for a collective African response to unfair global financial systems.
The rally concluded with a call to action, urging African governments, global institutions, and progressive movements to work together toward reparative justice, debt cancellation, and the construction of a sovereign African financial architecture that prioritises people over profit.
