Archbishop of Canterbury reaffirms £100m slavery reparations fund during Ghana castle visit

Dame Sarah Mullally, the Archbishop of Canterbury, visited Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, her first pastoral trip to Africa since her installation as head of the Church of England. While touring the former slave‑holding dungeons and the “door of no return,” she said the Church played a part in the transatlantic slave trade and expressed being deeply moved by the conditions she witnessed.

Mullally reiterated the Church of England’s commitment to a £100 million reparations fund, describing it as an act of repentance and a programme of investment, research and engagement for communities affected by the legacy of slavery. The fund was created after an audit uncovered historic investments linked to the slave trade. The Archbishop’s remarks came amid ongoing criticism of the fund from some MPs, peers and academics who question its narrative and legal basis.