French President Macron advocates for broad reparations beyond financial payments for slavery
via GhanaWeb2 min read
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that discussions on reparations for slavery should extend beyond financial payments to include truth-telling, education, memorialisation, and restitution. Speaking at the High-Level Consultative Conference on “Next Steps” under the 'United Nations Resolution on enslaved Africans' in Accra on June 18, 2026, he emphasized that reparative justice should not be limited to monetary compensation. Macron highlighted that reparations can take various forms to acknowledge historical injustices and preserve the memory of slavery, citing former President John Dramani Mahama's similar views. He explained that reparations involve establishing scientific and historical truth, constructing monuments, teaching, researching, and returning stolen artworks. Macron also mentioned ongoing discussions with Haiti as an example of resolving historical issues through reparative justice, stressing that it should not be viewed as a final payment to conclude the narrative. He underscored that the legacy of slavery is an ongoing historical reality requiring continuous remembrance, dialogue, and restitution efforts, and reiterated France’s commitment to supporting global initiatives for historical recognition and reparative justice.
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The New Patriotic Party NPP has voiced its disappointment regarding recent remarks made by former Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. Haruna Mohammed, the NPP's Deputy General Secretary, described Agyapong's public criticism of the party as unfortunate and urged members to be mindful of their public commentary, especially concerning the party's record and the administrations of former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Mohammed emphasized that the party's electoral success is linked to the achievements of these past administrations. He stated that the party would follow its internal procedures to address concerns arising from Agyapong's comments, which included a warning that he could disclose sensitive information about the NPP if provoked. Agyapong had previously criticized the NPP for not completing and operationalizing the Afari Military Hospital during its eight years in government.
Three people have died and nine others sustained gunshot injuries following an attack on Odomi, a community in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region. The incident occurred on the evening of June 18, 2026, when unknown assailants reportedly stormed the community, linked to the protracted conflict in the area. The injured victims were taken to Nkwanta St Joseph Catholic Hospital for treatment. Hospital authorities reported that one victim died during treatment, while two others were brought in deceased after being attacked on their farms. Security agencies, supported by military personnel, have increased patrols to restore calm. This attack happened shortly after the Oti Regional House of Chiefs announced a seven-member committee to address the conflict, which is yet to be inaugurated.
Must ReadGhana's Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced that the country's education sector requires between 50,000 and 90,000 additional teachers to meet nationwide demand. Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Minister attributed the inability to recruit the necessary number of educators to financial constraints and limited budget approvals. Despite the high demand, the government received clearance to recruit only 7,000 teachers this year. Mr. Iddrisu explained that recent reforms in the education sector, including the establishment of the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training CTVET alongside the Ghana Education Service GES, have increased staffing needs, making it more challenging to address the shortages within existing budgetary limits. This limited recruitment has raised concerns among education stakeholders and unemployed trained teachers.