-Liberian Leader to Deliver Keynote Address at Historic Gathering on Transatlantic Slave Trade and Reparatory Justice
ACCRA, GHANA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has arrived in Accra, Ghana, to participate in a landmark two-day High-Level Consultative Conference on Reparatory Justice convened by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama.
The Liberian leader arrived in the Ghanaian capital after departing Monrovia on Wednesday, June 17 evening for the conference, which has brought together African leaders, international legal experts, scholars, civil society organizations, and policymakers to advance global discussions on reparatory justice and the enduring legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
The conference follows the adoption of United Nations Resolution A/RES/80/250 on March 25, 2026, a landmark measure that recognizes the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as among the gravest crimes against humanity and calls for sustained international engagement on issues of historical justice, accountability, and reparatory measures.
President Boakai’s participation underscores Liberia’s growing role in continental and international discussions on historical justice, reconciliation, and African development.
Boakai Named to Global Advisory Panel
In a significant recognition of Liberia’s historical importance and President Boakai’s leadership on issues of justice, reconciliation, and African solidarity, President Mahama invited the Liberian leader to serve as a member of the newly established Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice.
The high-level body is expected to provide strategic guidance and leadership in advancing the implementation of the United Nations resolution while helping shape future international discussions on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impact on Africa and people of African descent around the world.
The appointment places Liberia among a select group of nations expected to play a leading role in shaping the next phase of the global reparatory justice movement.
President to Deliver Keynote Address
Adding to Liberia’s prominence at the conference, President Boakai has also been accorded the distinction of serving as a Special Guest of the Conference and is expected to deliver the Keynote Address during the opening ceremony.
The Liberian leader is anticipated to articulate Africa’s collective aspirations for justice, historical accountability, and equitable partnerships that address the consequences of slavery while creating opportunities for future generations.
Diplomatic observers say the keynote address will provide President Boakai with a major platform to contribute to growing international discussions about the economic, social, and political consequences of the transatlantic slave trade and the responsibility of the global community to address its lingering effects.
Historic Gathering of Global Leaders
The Accra conference has attracted an influential array of participants, including Heads of State and Government, foreign ministers, renowned attorneys, reparations experts, eminent scholars, civil society leaders, and representatives from major regional and international organizations.
Among the institutions represented are the African Union (AU), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and several United Nations agencies.
The gathering comes amid growing momentum across Africa, the Caribbean, and the global African diaspora for greater recognition of the historical injustices associated with slavery, colonialism, and centuries of economic exploitation.
In recent years, African governments and Caribbean nations have intensified calls for reparatory justice, arguing that the social and economic consequences of the transatlantic slave trade continue to affect millions of people of African descent worldwide.
Liberia’s Unique Historical Connection
Liberia occupies a unique position in conversations surrounding slavery, freedom, and reparatory justice.
Founded in the nineteenth century as a settlement for formerly enslaved Africans and free Black people from the United States, Liberia’s history is deeply intertwined with the broader story of the transatlantic slave trade and the struggle for freedom and self-determination.
As a result, Liberia’s participation in global conversations on reparatory justice carries both historical significance and symbolic importance.
Political analysts note that President Boakai’s invitation to join the Global Advisory Panel and deliver the conference’s keynote address reflects growing recognition of Liberia’s voice on matters relating to reconciliation, justice, and African unity.
High-Level Delegation Accompanies President
President Boakai is accompanied by a high-level Liberian delegation that includes:
- Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti
- National Security Advisor Cllr. Samuel Kofi Woods
- Director-General of the Cabinet Nathaniel Kwabo
- Liberia Maritime Authority Commissioner-General Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr.
The delegation is expected to participate in a series of bilateral and multilateral engagements on the margins of the conference.
Meanwhile, the Executive Mansion announced that during the President’s absence, Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Sr. will chair Cabinet meetings in consultation with Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung while remaining in regular contact with the President.
Advancing Africa’s Call for Justice
The conference is expected to conclude with recommendations aimed at strengthening international cooperation on reparatory justice and advancing Africa’s collective voice on one of the most consequential historical and moral issues of the modern era.
For Liberia, President Boakai’s participation represents another opportunity to contribute to shaping international discourse on justice, historical accountability, and the future relationship between Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider global community.
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