Commonwealth leaders say 'time has come' for discussion on slavery reparations

FILE PHOTO: Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey speaks during a high level meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2022. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo

APIA, Samoa (Reuters) -Commonwealth leaders, ending a week-long summit in Samoa, said on Saturday the time had come for a discussion on whether Britain should commit to reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Slavery and the threat of climate change were major themes for representatives of the 56 countries in the group, most with roots in Britain's empire, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that began in the Pacific Islands nation on Monday.