Who am I?

I am HRH Princess Barbara Vandross of Akwamu, heir of the Yaa Ansaa Royal Family. For 139 years, my family has carried the weight of a broken promise — a treaty signed but never ratified — and the injustice that followed has left deep scars on Akwamu and its people.

Summary

In 1886, the British signed the Aquamoo Treaty with the Akwamu Kingdom. By law, it required ratification by Queen Victoria within 12 months. This never happened. Instead, Akwamu was unlawfully absorbed into the Gold Coast Colony, its lands ceded to foreign powers, and a rival regent later imposed. #JusticeForAkwamu

A written Parliamentary Question tabled in January 2025 (PQ UID 23506) confirmed that no record of ratification exists. This is the core of our case. #QueenVictoriaSaidNO!!!

Call to action

We are raising funds to take this case to the UK courts and ultimately the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This is not just about history — it’s about accountability, reparations, and the right of a people to be recognised.

Please donate today and share this campaign. Together, we can end 139 years of silence.

What are we trying to achieve?

This case is about justice for Akwamu and dignity for all peoples harmed by colonial overreach. It seeks to:

Establish the unlawful nature of the annexation

Secure either the restoration of Akwamu’s sovereign rights or full compensation at current market value for its lands and natural resources in Ghana, Togo, and Benin

Set a global precedent for other unratified treaties and unlawful annexations

Launch a class action for descendants of Akwamus affected by slavery and displacement

For the Yaa Ansaa Royal Family, this fight is about ending 139 years of distress, exclusion, and betrayal.

What is the next step in the case?

Our legal team will:

File a Pre-Action Protocol letter to the UK Government demanding disclosure and redress.

Prepare evidence — including the PQ confirmation, historical affidavits, and expert testimony.

If unresolved, bring the case before the High Court in the UK.

Escalate to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) if necessary.

How much we are raising and why?

We aim to raise £50,000 for the initial phase — legal advice, court preparation, and pre-action letters. But we will need to build towards a larger fund to take this to the ICJ, covering:

Expert legal representation in international law

Travel and court fees

Historical and forensic evidence gathering

Every pound raised gets us closer to justice, and every share spreads awareness of this 139-years of injustice.

Thank you

Thank you for standing with us. Your support means the difference between silence and justice. Together, we can hold power to account and restore dignity to the Akwamu people after more than a century of struggle.

Every voice counts. Please donate, share, and sign our petition at https://www.change.org/justice4akwamus to stand with us.