Spio-Garbrah proposes debt swaps to fund reparative justice in Africa and Caribbean

Presidential Special Envoy for Reparations Ekwow Spio-Garbrah has proposed a debt-swap mechanism that would convert portions of eligible bilateral debt owed by African and Caribbean countries into investments in development priorities as part of efforts to advance reparative justice. The proposal is intended to recognise the lasting economic consequences of slavery and colonialism, rather than treat the conversion of debt solely as a form of debt relief. Speaking on behalf of Dr Spio-Garbrah at the 10th GITFiC Annual Conference on the 3rd Global Debt Initiative, his Programmes Manager, Isaac Obed Sarr, said the mechanism would allow resources that would otherwise go towards servicing eligible debt to be directed into development programmes.