French President Emmanuel Macron and Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama discussed the issue of reparatory justice during the Ghanaian leader’s recent visit to Paris, France’s Ambassador to Ghana has disclosed.

Madam Diarra Dimé-Labille, Ambassador of France to Ghana, revealed the high-level engagement during her first press briefing in Accra, confirming that both leaders expressed willingness to continue dialogue on the matter.

The disclosure comes just weeks after the United Nations General Assembly adopted a landmark resolution on March 25, 2026, spearheaded by Ghana on behalf of the African Union with backing from Caribbean states. The resolution calls for recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity and encourages efforts toward reparatory justice.

France abstained from the vote, a decision the Ambassador addressed directly.

“President Mahama and President Macron discussed this issue during the Ghanaian leader’s recent visit to Paris,” Madam Dimé-Labille told journalists. “Both sides expressed willingness to continue engagement on the matter.”

The Ambassador stated that France fully recognizes slavery as a crime against humanity within its legal framework – noting that France was the first country to formally adopt such recognition more than two decades ago.

However, she explained that certain legal considerations influenced France’s position on the wording of the resolution, leading to its abstention alongside other European Union member states.

France, she said, supported the broader intent of the resolution but sought a more consensual formulation aligned with established classifications under international law.

“The resolution is not the end, it is the beginning,” Madam Dimé-Labille said, expressing optimism about the way forward.

She indicated that France is prepared to contribute meaningfully to future discussions, including a proposed coalition of states expected to explore practical pathways toward reparatory justice, potentially hosted in Ghana.

Drawing on her background in international law, the Ambassador explained that establishing a clear legal basis for reparations at the global level remains complex. Unlike other historical cases where compensation frameworks were backed by binding international mechanisms, there is currently no specific legal instrument governing reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.

Progress, she said, is therefore likely to be driven by dialogue, cooperation, and political consensus among states – a process in which the Macron-Mahama conversation represents an early but significant step.

Madam Dimé-Labille described the UN resolution’s adoption, with more than 120 countries voting in favour, as an “overwhelming success” and a significant milestone reflecting growing global consensus on addressing historical injustices.

She also broadened the definition of reparatory justice beyond financial compensation, pointing to areas such as reform of global financial systems, debt considerations, education, and historical research as part of the wider conversation.

“Reparation is not only about financial compensation,” she said.

Ghana has taken a leading role in advancing the reparations agenda internationally, positioning itself at the forefront of calls for historical justice and equitable global systems. The Macron-Mahama talks signal that major European powers are prepared to engage with that agenda, even as legal and procedural differences remain.

The Ambassador reiterated France’s broader commitment to addressing historical issues, including ongoing efforts to acknowledge aspects of its past and support the return of African cultural artefacts.

“Continued dialogue and partnership will be essential in shaping a shared understanding of reparatory justice and its implications,” she said.

We’ve curated the most important stories shaping Ghana today for a global audience. From bold political statements and record gains in non-traditional exports and remittances to government efforts to cut tomato imports, this roundup keeps you informed on key developments across the country—wherever you are in the world.

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Former Fuel Attendant Exposes Alleged Tactics Used to Cheat Customers
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Government to Launch WhatsApp System for Reporting Power Outages
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Remittance Inflows Near $7.8bn in 2025, Surpassing Foreign Direct Investment
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Monday, April 20, 2026. Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place.