ACCRA, GHANA — Legal experts, students, and senior citizens in Ghana have issued a stinging rebuke of Reform UK’s recent proposal to impose visa restrictions on African and Caribbean nations seeking reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. The proposal, which targets countries including Ghana, Nigeria, and Jamaica, has been described by local experts as a regressive “power play” that evokes the darkest eras of British foreign policy.
Lawyer Anokye Frimpong, speaking from Accra, drew parallels between the current proposal and Britain’s historical use of travel restrictions to punish those who opposed apartheid in South Africa. “Listening to it reminds you of the era of apartheid,” Frimpong added. “The British made sure that any country that passed legislation to fight apartheid was not going to have an easy ride getting into their territory. Now, the same thing is happening with our quest for justice.”
The proposal, announced by Reform UK on Tuesday, aims to bar entry to nationals of countries requesting compensation for colonial-era actions, labelling the reparations drive as “unfair.” The party’s stance has sparked outrage at the University of Ghana, where law students argue that the UK is attempting to evade historical responsibility.
“Colonialism took so much from us. “At the very least, reparations would be an acceptable gesture from the British government,” noted another student. “To deny us any chances of advancement simply because we wish to demand responsibility amounts to injustice.”
This view was shared by elderly members of the community who grew up during the period of colonisation. “They must apologise and compensate Africa,” demanded a resident of the Osu neighbourhood, highlighting the persistent inequalities rooted in the 350-year history of slavery.
As diplomatic tensions rise, Ghanaian voices are calling on African leadership to remain steadfast. “We must ensure we get what we deserve from the centuries of slavery and colonialism,” Frimpong concluded, “so that we no longer need a visa to be treated with dignity on the global stage.”
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