Slave trade: Ghana's president says reparations not limited to cash payments

Ghanaian President John Mahama has said that the call for payment of reparations for slave trade is not limited to direct cash payments, but also includes other interventions meant to correct the harm caused by slavery. Mahama specifically cited investments in education, health, economic growth and debt treatment as areas that could be considered as reparations to redress historical wrongs. In March, the United Nations adopted a historic resolution that declared the transatlantic slave trade, quote, the gravest crime against humanity, end of quote. While non-binding, the resolution pushed for by Mahama goes beyond simple acknowledgement and asks nations involved in the slave trade to engage in restitution and compensation. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he was open to saying sorry, but ruled out paying financial reparations demanded by some countries. Mahama has since announced the creation of three working panels to explore pathways to reparatory justice.