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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, has visited Ghana as part of her first official tour of Africa since becoming the leader of the global Anglican Communion, with engagements focused on history, faith and the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
Mullally visited the Church of Ghana’s Heritage Anglican Culture Village and Resorts project in Accra, an initiative designed to preserve the history of the slave trade and create a cultural and pilgrimage destination for members of the African diaspora and descendants of enslaved people.
Speaking during the visit, Mullally described the project as an important opportunity to preserve historical memory and deepen understanding of the impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
“It was a privilege to be in Ghana, here in Accra, to be able to break the ground on a cultural heritage site that will tell the story of the transatlantic slave trade,” she said.
The project forms part of efforts by the Anglican Church in Ghana to create a space where visitors can engage with Africa’s history, particularly the experiences of millions of people affected by the slave trade and its lasting consequences.
Mullally’s visit has also included a meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama in Accra, where the president has described her confirmation as the first woman to lead the Church of England as a historic moment.
The Archbishop’s trip comes after her predecessor, Justin Welby, apologised for the Church of England’s historical connections to slavery, describing the institution’s involvement as a “source of shame”.
Ghana has continued to strengthen its links with the African diaspora, granting citizenship to more than 1,000 people in recent years as part of efforts to reconnect people of African descent with the continent. The country has also advocated for reparations linked to slavery and played a role in efforts that led the United Nations to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity”.
Before her meeting with President Mahama, Mullally preached at St Joseph the Worker Anglican Church in Accra during a three-hour service led entirely by women clergy.
Her African tour will also include a visit to Cameroon as she continues engagements with Anglican communities across the continent.
