Africa Day 2025 Message of President of Ghana H.E. John Dramani Mahama,

Fellow Africans, esteemed leaders,

brothers and sisters

of the African continent,

It is with great honor that

I address you today on the occasion of

Africa Day, 2025.

As we gather in Addis Ababa and

connect across our vast continent

and beyond,

we celebrate our resilience,

our rich heritage and

our unwavering spirit.

This year, our celebration

is particularly significant.

The African Union has declared 2025 as

the year for justice for Africans and

people of African descent

through reparations.

As the AU champion

for this critical cause,

I'm deeply committed

to working with you all

to achieve this vital objective.

For too long, the legacy of slavery,

colonialism and neocolonialism

has cast a long shadow

on the lives and progress of Africans

and people of African descent.

These historical injustices have

left deep scars.

Reparations are not merely about

financial compensation,

they are about acknowledging the profound

and enduring damage inflicted upon

our people.

They are about confronting

the uncomfortable truths of our past

and taking concrete steps

to rectify these wrongs.

We seek justice.

Justice that encompasses a comprehensive

range of measures including:

Official and unequivocal apologies

from the nations and institutions

responsible for perpetuating these

historical injustices.

Addressing the crippling debt burden

that continues to stifle economic growth

in many African nations -

a direct consequence of exploitation

and unfair trade practices.

Providing resources and expertise to

empower African nations to achieve

sustainable development and participate

fully in the global economy.

Returning stolen artefacts

and cultural treasures that rightfully

belong to our heritage.

Investing in the educational initiatives

to promote a deeper understanding

of African history, culture

and contributions to the world.

This is not a simple task;

it requires courage, determination

and a unified front.

It requires us to engage

in meaningful dialogue

with those responsible and to advaocate

tirelessly for our rights.

I call upon my colleague African leaders,

civil society organizations and

youth groups and members of the diaspora

to join hands in this important endeavor.

Let us work together to build a future

where justice prevails,

where the wounds of the past are healed

and where the potential of every African

and person of African descent

is fully realized.

Let Africa Day, 2025 be a turning point.

Let us reaffirm our commitment

to building a continent of prosperity,

opportunity, and equality

for all our people.

Let the pursuit of reparations

be a testament to our resilience,

our determination and

our unwavering belief in a brighter future

Happy Africa day,

let us move together - united in purpose

towards a just and equitable future

for all Africans

and people of African descent.