The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakea has acknowledged the apology issued by the Church of Scotland over its historical involvement in atrocities linked to the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Ablakwa noted that the apology is welcomed as a significant symbolic step, marking one of the first institutional acknowledgements following the UN resolution’s adoption.
“Ghana welcomes the apology of the Church of Scotland for its role in the transatlantic enslavement. It’s always better late than never. ” he said
The apology comes in the aftermath of the resolution’s adoption at the UN General Assembly, despite several countries abstaining or voting against it, with some critics describing it as a political attempt to “weaponise historical justice” for development and aid negotiations.
The resolution, championed by Ghana and a coalition of African states, has triggered renewed global reflection on historical accountability, reparatory justice, and the legacy of slavery across Europe, the Americas, and Africa.
In its statement adopted by the Church’s General Assembly in Edinburgh on Saturday May 16, 2026. it acknowledged its historical ties to slavery and colonial exploitation, expressing regret for its involvement and the moral harm caused by institutions affiliated with the Church during the era of transatlantic slavery.
The statement read that the Kirk is “grieved beyond telling by the extraordinary suffering we have inflicted – through our actions and our inaction, on our brothers and sisters….. We repent, committing ourselves to changing course and bearing fruit worthy of repentance.”
The Church noted that individuals connected to its historical structures benefited from slavery-linked economies, including plantations in the Caribbean, and pledged continued engagement on racial justice, reconciliation, and historical education.
“The legacy of slavery stretches like a shadow over our local, national and global landscape. Naming that is not about blame, but about faithfulness – about recognising that healing begins where truth is spoken.” the church said.
Many Kirks established throughout the British Empire, including in the Caribbean, were built using funds from slave plantations. For example, records show the first trustees of the Kirk in Kingston, Jamaica , opened in 1819 were wealthy plantation owners
In a related development, a French national, Pierre Guillon de Prince, issued a personal apology on behalf of his family, acknowledging their historical involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
De Prince stated that his ancestors, based in Nantes, France, owned plantations in the Caribbean and were involved in slave shipping operations that transported an estimated 4,500 enslaved Africans during the height of the trade.
He expressed remorse for the family’s historical role and called for deeper public education on the legacies of slavery in Europe and its enduring social and economic consequences in affected communities.
The Government of Ghana, which led the African bloc in sponsoring the UN resolution, has described these early apologies as important but insufficient steps toward full historical accountability.
Ghana is now convening a “Next Steps Conference” aimed at translating the resolution into actionable global frameworks on reparatory justice, historical recognition, and institutional engagement.
The conference is expected to bring together African states, diaspora communities, European governments, and civil society actors to discuss compensation frameworks, educational reform, and long-term mechanisms for historical redress.
The unfolding developments signal a new phase in global debates on slavery, shifting from symbolic recognition toward structured demands for accountability and reparative action.
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