Rethinking Reparations and Historical Justice

 In this episode, we examine the recent United Nations resolution championed by President John Dramani Mahama, calling for the transatlantic slave trade to be formally recognized as a crime against humanity, alongside renewed discussions on reparations. Moving beyond the headlines, we interrogate the necessity and practical implications of the resolution. What does it seek to achieve in today’s context, and does it meaningfully address the structural challenges facing African economies? We also engage the difficult question of reparations—particularly whether modern African states are the appropriate recipients, and whether such claims can be justified on economic and moral grounds.