A prominent figure within Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has criticized UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer for dismissing calls for reparations for slavery.
Starmer reportedly argued that, instead of focusing on past injustices, countries affected by slavery should prioritize current issues, such as climate challenges.
Speaking to reporters on a flight to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHGM) in Samoa, Starmer stressed the importance of supporting Commonwealth nations with immediate needs.
“In all the conversations I’ve had with them, what they’re most interested in is… working with international institutions… on the sorts of packages they need right now in relation to the challenges they’re facing right now.”
Starmer further noted, “That’s where I’m going to put my focus rather than what will end up being very long, endless discussions about reparations on the past.”
In response, Gabby Otchere-Darko, via a post on X on October 24, 2024, condemned the Prime Minister’s stance, calling it “a disgraceful dismissive attitude from the leader of an island nation that best benefited from the crime of slavery.”
A disgraceful dismissive attitude from the leader of an island nation that best benefited from the crime of slavery. https://t.co/YGOSS0GRoy
— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) October 24, 2024