Notes of Public Lecture by Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life September 2026
Summary
The OCRPL ( www.ocrpl.org) Public Lecture for September was given by Dr. Charles Gyasi, a Ghanaian researcher and pastor, on “The Repatriation Committee in Ghana and the Campaign for Parliamentary Justice.”
Dr. Gyasi delivered a comprehensive presentation on Ghana’s efforts to seek reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, outlining the historical impact on Ghana’s economy, society, and politics, and detailing the work of Ghana’s Reparations Committee established in 2021. The lecture generated extensive discussion among participants, with critics challenging Dr. Gyasi’s focus on European and American responsibilities while ignoring the Arab slave trade and questioning the economic arguments for reparations. Concerns were raised by participants about the confrontational approach of the reparations campaign, and a more holistic approach was suggested that includes forgiveness, acknowledgment of benefits received from Western missionaries, and engagement with all parties involved in slavery, including Arab nations and African leaders who participated in the slave trade.
Next steps
Charles
- Continue to develop and articulate a more holistic approach to the reparations discourse, incorporating forgiveness, the role of Arab slavery, and the benefits from European engagement.
- Work with the Ghana Reparations Committee to consider a diplomatic, cooperative approach that includes all relevant parties (e.g., Arab nations, Christian missions) in the reparations dialogue.
Summary
Repatriation Committee Lecture Introduction
Dr. Charles Gyasi is a lecturer, researcher, and author with extensive experience in ministerial work across Ghana and Europe. Dr. Gyasi’s doctoral research was on African Pentecostal churches’ responses to refugees in Germany.
Ghana’s Reparations Campaign Presentation
Dr. Charles presented Ghana’s campaign for justice, examining the historical impact of the transatlantic slave trade on Ghana and advocating for reparative justice. He outlined Ghana’s Reparations Committee’s work, including efforts to secure apologies, financial compensation, and the return of cultural artefacts, as well as the country’s diplomatic advocacy at international platforms. The discussion highlighted the committee’s focus on diaspora engagement, research and documentation, policy advocacy, and coordination with the African Union, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address historical wrongs and promote systemic transformation.
Biblical Case for Reparations
Dr Charles presented a biblical and theological case for reparations, drawing on concepts from the Year of Jubilee, the story of Zacchaeus, and the doctrine of original sin to argue that present generations may have obligations to address the continuing consequences of historical injustices.
He recommended four actions: historical reclamation and heritage preservation, eradication of contemporary bondage, restitution of cultural and religious heritage, and implementation of comprehensive reparations. He concluded that while individuals do not inherit personal guilt for ancestors’ actions, present generations may inherit benefits from historical injustices, making reparations more compelling today than ever before.
Slavery Reparations Debate
The discussion centered on the moral and economic arguments surrounding reparatory justice for historical slavery, particularly the transatlantic slave trade. Historian Lawrence Goldman had argued that slavery’s economic impact on the Industrial Revolution was relatively small, with industrialization actually ending slavery rather than being powered by it.
The moral responsibility of Western countries for slavery was discussed. The economic claims were challenged and the controversy around measuring benefits and determining appropriate reparations was noted. The conversation also touched on the comparison with the longer-lasting Arab-African slave trade, though specific details about this trade were not fully discussed.
Ghanaian Slave Trade Reparations Discussion
Dr. Charles presented the Ghanaian perspective of the slave trade, focusing on targeting Europe and America for reparations while acknowledging the historical pain caused by both Arab and European slave trades.
Dr. Charles’s presentation was challenged with the argument that it was incomplete as it didn’t address the 1400-year history of Arab slavery or acknowledge the benefits that Christianity and European engagement brought to Africa, including education and democracy. A more balanced approach would acknowledge both the negatives and positives of historical interactions while discussing current reparations.
Slavery Strategy Debate Discussion
Charles’s approach to addressing slavery was challenged that by focusing only on European and American slavery while ignoring Arab slavery his campaign would not be effective. A more diplomatic and compromising approach would be necessary to gain support from potential allies in Europe, rather than continuing with a purely confrontational stance. Dr Charles defended the current strategy of focusing on European and American slavery first, citing Hilary Beckles’s work as evidence that the historical narrative needs reevaluation.
Holistic Reparations Approach
Dr Charles discussed the emotional and spiritual aspects of reparations, emphasizing the need for holistic healing that goes beyond financial compensation. He explained that while money is important, structural injustices must also be addressed, citing examples like Africa’s lack of control over the pricing of resources it produces. When asked about the complexity of reparations, Charles acknowledged the challenges but maintained that addressing historical wrongs is necessary, while also supporting diplomatic approaches to resolve these issues.
Slavery Reparations Discussion
Dr Charles discussed the concept of reparations for slavery, emphasizing that Africa seeks structural changes and a level playing field rather than monetary compensation from individuals. He acknowledged the benefits received from Western missionaries while highlighting how the slave trade affected spiritual life through mistrust among communities.
A more holistic approach was proposed focusing on forgiveness and repentance rather than demands for reparations, since the reparations concept contains inherent contradictions that people will not accept. The discussion explored how to balance acknowledging historical wrongs with finding practical solutions for a more just relationship between former colonial powers and Africa.
See also “How reparations debate ignores the real scandal” https://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/how-reparations-debate-ignores-the-real-scandal/