By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Dec. 22, GNA — Ghana at the weekend crowned its 2025 Diaspora Summit with a formal dinner and the Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah Diaspora Awards ceremony in Accra.
The ceremony, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together senior government officials, traditional leaders, diplomats and members of the African diaspora.
The Ministry used the occasion to reaffirm Ghana’s leadership in the global campaign for reparative justice, while distinguished Africans and members of the Black diaspora were honoured for excellence, justice and Pan-African service.
The awards dinner formed part of activities marking the Diaspora Summit, which sought to strengthen Ghana’s engagement with the diaspora, while positioning the country as a leading voice for justice, unity and African dignity on the global stage.
Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, addressing the gathering, said the summit had demonstrated a renewed unity between Africans on the continent and in the diaspora.
He insisted that the quest for reparatory justice was no longer marginal but firmly on the global agenda.
He rejected narratives that sought to divide Africans by attributing blame for the transatlantic slave trade to African societies, describing such claims as deliberate distortions of history aimed at weakening collective resolve.
The Minister said Ghana, working with the African Union, was fully committed to the declaration of 2025–2036 as the Decade of Reparatory Justice, stressing that the campaign was not about financial compensation alone but about justice, healing and the restoration of dignity.
He noted that former slave-owning states had historically compensated slave owners after abolition, while the victims and their descendants had received nothing, a contradiction he said could no longer be ignored.
He emphasised that Ghana was not waiting for reparations to develop, pointing to ongoing efforts to renegotiate natural resource agreements, build local capacity and add value to commodities such as gold, lithium and cocoa.
Mr Ablakwa said development and reparatory justice must proceed side by side, not in competition.
He cited Ghana’s recent humanitarian interventions, including assistance to Caribbean states following Hurricane Melissa and support for civilians affected by conflict in Gaza, as proof that the country’s Pan-African and human solidarity commitments were reflected in action, not rhetoric.
He further pledged that the Government would continue to defend the dignity and safety of Ghanaian citizens abroad through firm diplomatic action when necessary.
The dinner featured the presentation of the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Diaspora Awards, instituted to recognise individuals and institutions whose work reflects Pan-African ideals and global Black excellence.
In the Global Category, the Pan-African Excellence Award was conferred posthumously on Robert Nesta Marley, while Al Sharpton received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Award for Justice for Black People went to Benjamin Crump, the Award for Indomitable Spirit to Mike Tyson, and the Global Business Excellence Award to Aliko Dangote.
Awards were also presented to Marylyn Addo for Research, Innovation and Technology, Patrick Awuah for Excellence in Academia, and Azumah Nelson for Sportsmanship.
Under the Africa Category, Heritage Excellence was awarded to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Young Excellence to Danny Manu, and Literary Arts to Ayi Kwei Armah.
The Award for Preservation of Black History went to Chris Hesse, while Excellence in Institutional Leadership was presented to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
In the Ghana Category, Business Excellence in Ghana was conferred on Alex Dadey, while the Award for Philanthropy and Social Impact went to Empower Playgrounds.
Kwaw Ansah received the Award for Film, Television and Theatre, Black Sherif was honoured for Music and Sound Excellence, and Kojo Antwi was recognised as Music Legend.
Awards were also presented to Ablade Glover for Visual Arts, Christie Brown for Fashion and Textile, and Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon for Digital and New Media.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie