Full Breakdown
Archbishop of Canterbury Reaffirms £100 million Reparations Fund on Ghana Visit
8/2/2026, 12:19:08 AM
Renewed Commitment to the Reparations Programme
During a pastoral visit to Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally announced that the Church of England will continue to support a £100 million fund intended for reparative justice work linked to the institution’s historic involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Mullally described the experience of touring the castle’s dungeons and the “door of no return” as a stark reminder of the church’s role, and she framed the fund as an actionable expression of Christian repentance aimed at communities still affected by the legacy of slavery.
Historical Context of the Church’s Involvement
The Church of England’s connections to the slave trade date back to the 17th century, when its missionary arm operated slave-farmed plantations in the Caribbean to finance the spread of Anglicanism. Individual clergy members owned slaves, and the church received substantial donations from slave traders. An internal audit of the church’s historical endowment fund identified large investments in a company that trafficked slaves, prompting the decision three years ago to establish the reparations fund for “investment, research and engagement” in affected communities.
Official Reactions
Ghana’s foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, praised Mullally’s actions, stating that the archbishop’s presence would send the “right signals” and encourage revisionist or obstructive elements within the Church to reconsider their positions. He linked the initiative to the Christian teaching that admission of sin is necessary for salvation.
Opposition and Ongoing Debate
Despite the renewed commitment, vocal opposition persists. Critics have questioned the historical accuracy of reports detailing the church’s level of complicity, raised legal concerns about the fund’s implementation, and expressed ideological objections to reparative measures. Ghana continues to lead a global campaign urging institutions and nations that benefited from the slave trade to provide reparations, underscoring the broader international dimension of the debate.
