Accra, Ghana – On August 29, 2025, a massive Pan-African rally convened in Accra, Ghana, drawing thousands of participants to advocate for debt cancellation and fair trade practices across the continent. The demonstration, a significant component of the African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD), was organized by ITUC-Africa in collaboration with the Ghana Trades Union Congress.
The central focus of this year's AfCoDD was "Reparations and Reparative Justice for an African Financial Architecture and Transformation." A key demand from the rally was the cancellation of Africa's sovereign debt, which had reached an alarming $2.14 trillion by 2024. This substantial debt burden places many African nations at high risk of financial distress, with reports indicating that seven countries allocate more funds to debt servicing than to education, and 25 countries prioritize debt interest payments over healthcare.
The rally underscored a unified message: "The bleeding of Africa must stop." Organizers highlighted a stark financial reality where Africa receives $162 billion annually in loans, aid, and remittances, yet loses over $203 billion through illicit financial flows and profit repatriation, resulting in a net annual loss of $41 billion. The presence of Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang signaled Ghana's commitment to addressing the economic crisis and pursuing reparative justice.
The march, which began at Obra Spot and concluded at Independence Square, served as a powerful display of collective resolve. Discussions also encompassed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a strong emphasis on the necessity of robust labor and social protections to ensure equitable growth. Trade unions are advocating for their integration into AfCFTA governance to ensure that trade generates decent jobs and prevents a "race to the bottom" for workers.
This comprehensive effort was a collaborative endeavor involving ITUC-Africa, Ghana TUC, AFRODAD, and numerous other grassroots networks and civil society organizations across Africa. The rally represents a pivotal moment in Africa's ongoing journey to surmount economic challenges and champion social justice, asserting that the continent's future prosperity must be built on fairness and self-determination, not on unsustainable debt.