AfCoDD V: African leaders unite for debt cancellation, reparative justice

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

The 5th edition of the African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD V) in Accra, Ghana, has ended with a resounding call for debt cancellation through reparations and reparative justice.
This was contained in a statement by Rev. David Ugolor, the Executive Director of African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).
The statement stated that over 500 participants from across the globe gathered to discuss Africa’s debt crisis and potential solutions, emphasizing the need for collective action.
The statement further stated that the ANEEJ delegate was led by the Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, and the Programme Officer, Paul Odokara.
The conference culminated in a powerful rally, where participants bearing placards with bold inscriptions marched through the streets, chanting liberation and solidarity songs that echoed through the air.
Ghanaian youths showcased vibrant artistic and dramatic displays, bringing the rally to life with their energetic performances.
The rally’s theme, “We Don’t Owe, We Won’t Pay,” resonated with the crowd, as they demanded cancellation of African debts by the IMF and World Bank.
The Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (ITUC) in Ghana, Comrade Joshua Ansah, read out an 8-point demand, calling for debt cancellation, social security for workers, transparency, and accountability in debt contraction and management, among others.
The Deputy Finance Minister of Ghana, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, pledged his support for the union’s demands, promising to present them to the President
The conference featured a keynote address by Dr. Liliane Umubyeyi, Founder and CEO of Africa Futures Lab, and several sessions discussing burning issues about Africa’s development and the debt conundrum.