King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse and leader of Ghana's Ga people, has publicly apologized for his ancestors' participation in the transatlantic slave trade. This acknowledgment is a key element of Ghana's broader engagement with the legacy of slavery and its ongoing calls for reparations from Western nations.
The Ga people historically acted as intermediaries, trading gold, ivory, and enslaved Africans—often captives from local conflicts—with European merchants, primarily the British and Dutch. In exchange, they received manufactured goods such as textiles, alcohol, and firearms.
"I think that the transatlantic slave trade was the greatest crime against humanity, and ancestors also took part as players in that trade," the king stated. He extended his apology beyond his own lineage to encompass "all traditional authorities and my ancestors and forebears for the part they also played in the slavery of our brothers and sisters."
King Teiko Tsuru II believes that confronting this past is essential for healing and moving forward. "It has affected lives and societies up to now, and to be able to go forward, you have to look at your past. It dawns on us to admit our fault and correct it," he said. He also expressed conviction that those who profited from the slave trade should pay reparations, a commitment he feels he must also uphold financially.
According to the king, admitting African complicity does not diminish the culpability of European empires but rather strengthens Africa's moral standing and provides a framework for future reconciliation.
Ghana has also spearheaded initiatives to connect the African diaspora with the continent, promoting visits as a way to foster unity and address the shared trauma of slavery. This approach, promoted by the President of Ghana's Diaspora Office, frames the concept of "reparations" as a process of human-level "repair."
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's foreign minister, has emphasized the nation's stance on accountability. "Ghana cannot afford to be silent on ensuring that we hold perpetrators accountable," he stated. 