Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah is named Special Envoy for Reparations by Mahama.

His appointment reflects Ghana’s reaffirmed dedication to furthering the international demand for compensation for colonial exploitation and slavery.

With this week’s announcement of the appointment, Dr. Spio-Garbrah will be at the forefront of Ghana’s advocacy efforts in Africa and the diaspora to build partnerships, mobilize support, and shape policy frameworks that address historical injustices suffered by Africans and people of African descent.

Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah brings a wealth of experience in development, governance, and international diplomacy to the position.

Prior to this, he was Ghana’s ambassador to the US and Mexico, as well as its minister of education and trade and industry.

In addition, he worked for the African Development Bank (AfDB) and held a senior role at the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO) in London, where he supported strategic initiatives meant to advance African economic integration and growth.

Dr. Spio-Garbrah played a key role in advancing industrialization, assisting small and medium-sized businesses, and facilitating trade agreements that increased Ghana’s export base while serving as Minister of Trade and Industry.

Expanding access and bolstering tertiary education governance were further benefits of his leadership in education reforms.

As Special Envoy for Reparations, Dr. Spio-Garbrah is expected to leverage his extensive international network and diplomatic expertise to coordinate with African governments, the African Union (AU), CARICOM, and global advocacy groups to advance Africa’s case for reparations.

Since several African leaders have called for restitution and reparative justice for centuries of exploitation under slavery and colonial rule, the reparations agenda has attracted renewed international attention.

President Mahama, a vocal supporter of Pan-African unity, called the appointment a calculated move to guarantee Ghana’s continued prominence in the international reparative justice movement.

Mr. Mahama said, “Dr. Spio-Garbrah is ideally positioned to lead Ghana’s contribution to this important global conversation due to his extensive experience in international relations and his longstanding dedication to Africa’s development.”