Trade unions, CSOs, others to hold rally for Africa’s debt cancellation, trade justice in Accra

African trade unions under the umbrella of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana, in collaboration with civil society movements, faith leaders, youth, and women’s organizations, are set to converge in Accra, Ghana on August 29, 2025, for a historic Pan-African Rally for Debt Cancellation and Trade Justice.

According to a statement signed by ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, the rally is a united call to end “unjust debt and exploitative trade systems that have bled Africa of its wealth.” He stressed that this action is Africa’s non-state actors’ contribution to giving “pragmatic expression to the African Union’s theme for this year – ‘Reparative Justice for African and People of African Descent.’”

“Debt is a part of neocolonial and neoliberal shackles undermining Africa’s socioeconomic progress and development,” the statement noted. It recalled that the May 2025 AU Debt Summit in its Lome Declaration affirmed that “debt is a stumbling block to Africa’s development possibilities” and called for the cancellation of odious debt.

“Therefore, the forthcoming rally is a declaration and demand for debt cancellation for reparative justice,” Odigie declared.

Underscoring the significance of the event, the ITUC-Africa General Secretary revealed that the Vice President of Ghana, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, will join the rally, marching alongside African workers and citizens. “This signals national leadership and continental resolve to confront a crisis that has left governments with impossible choices between servicing debt or serving their people,” he said.

Painting a grim picture of the continent’s debt crisis, Odigie noted: “Africa’s sovereign debt has reached USD 2.14 trillion as of 2024, with 22 African countries at high risk of distress, and four already in default (Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia). Today, seven African countries spend more on servicing debt interest than on education, and 25 spend more on debt interest than on health.”

He described the situation as a bleeding wound that must be stopped, citing that “in a single year, Africa received USD 162 billion in loans, aid, and remittances but lost over USD 203 billion through illicit financial flows and profit repatriation – a net annual loss of USD 41 billion.” According to him: “This rally makes clear: Africa will no longer accept a system of modern-day neo-colonial exploitation in which our resources serve creditors instead of our people.”

The statement also revealed that the rally will take a strong stand against trade injustice. “While the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) promises to boost intra-African trade by over 50%, unions warn that without enforceable labour and social protections, AfCFTA risks repeating patterns of jobless growth and deepening inequality,” it said. Odigie insisted that “trade unions must be formally included in AfCFTA governance structures and labour and social clauses incorporated into AfCFTA protocols.” He stressed that, “Trade must deliver decent jobs, not just GDP growth. We refuse a race to the bottom where workers pay the price for Africa’s trade liberalisation.”

The Pan-African Rally will commence at Obra Spot and end at Independence Square, featuring banners and placards with messages such as “Cancel Africa’s Debt Now!”, “Debt Cancellation is Reparation!”, “People-Centred AfCFTA!”, and “Stop the Bleeding!” The event will include symbolic acts like a chain-breaking ceremony to dramatise Africa’s liberation from the shackles of debt.

Organisers of the rally include ITUC-Africa, Ghana TUC, AFRODAD, FEMNET, Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU), Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA), Trust Africa, and the Nawi Collective, working alongside broad grassroots networks across the continent. Odigie noted that their unity underscores the legitimacy and urgency of Africa’s demand for debt cancellation and fair trade.

Importantly, he disclosed that lenders and donors have been invited through their agents, embassies, and organisations. “Their participation will demonstrate whether global financial institutions are ready to listen to Africa’s people and act on the urgent demand for justice,” he said.

Emphasising the global dimension of the rally, Odigie added: “This is not just a Ghanaian moment, it is a continental campaign. Trade unions, civil society, and movements from across Africa will stand together to deliver a petition to policymakers, demanding debt cancellation, trade justice, and reforms in the global financial system.” He concluded with a call to the media, urging local, regional, and international outlets to “assist in communicating this information widely and to cover this landmark event. The rally is a defining moment for Africa’s economic future and a message to the world that Africa is united, organised, and determined to demand and obtain reparative justice and reclaim its sovereignty.”