Surinamese Woman Highlights Cultural Links Between Ghana and Suriname at Reparations Conference

A Surinamese woman has sparked discussion on reparatory justice after highlighting cultural similarities between Ghana and Suriname during the NEXT Steps Conference in Accra.

The conference, held from June 17 to 19, 2026, brought together global leaders and stakeholders to discuss reparatory justice and the lasting effects of the transatlantic slave trade.

In a video shared by Face to Face, the woman pointed to similarities in language, traditional leadership, place names, personal names and food between the two countries.

According to her, these similarities show the lasting influence of African heritage in Suriname.

“When we talk about reparations, Suriname must be counted in,” she said.

She explained that Suriname has traditional kingdoms whose leaders are known as “Ga Mang,” which she compared to the title “Ga Mantse” used in Ghana.

“One of the first examples is chieftaincy. We have six kingdoms in Suriname, and in their own languages they call their leaders ‘Ga Mang.’ I heard that in Ghana you call them ‘Ga Mantse.’ They have similar rules and guidelines,” she stated.

The woman also mentioned several place and personal names that she believes reflect historical connections to Ghana.

“We have a village called Tamale in Suriname. We have names like Tumu, Tamba, and Damba. These people are still living with traditions that are very similar to those in Africa,” she said.

She further highlighted similarities in food, jokingly claiming that Suriname has some of the best Ghanaian-inspired dishes.

“The food is another example. I’m telling everybody that Suriname has the best fufu, the best gari, the best groundnut soup, and the best okra soup,” she said, drawing laughter from the audience.

She added that names such as Agidi, Yao and Chamba have existed in Suriname for generations and noted similarities between some words used in both cultures.

“There is so much more to learn about reparations through a country like Suriname. When I say ‘ɛyɛ,’ it means good. In Suriname, ‘kaba kaba’ means ready, and ‘kaaba’ means stop. Suriname needs to be included in the reparatory justice conversation,” she added.

Her comments drew interest from participants, many of whom saw them as evidence of the enduring cultural legacy of Africans who were taken across the Atlantic during the slave trade.

Suriname is home to a large Afro-Surinamese population, including Creoles and Maroons, many of whom have preserved African traditions, languages and customs for generations.

The woman’s remarks added a cultural perspective to the reparations debate, highlighting how African identities and traditions continue to thrive across the diaspora centuries after the transatlantic slave trade.