In a momentous address, President John Dramani Mahama highlighted Ghana’s pivotal role in advocating for reparations for the injustices of slavery and colonialism. Following the African Union’s recent decision to designate 2025 as a year of justice for Africans and people of African descent, he was appointed as the AU Champion for Reparations.
This role carries immense weight, as it signifies a commitment to seek acknowledgment and justice for the historical wrongs inflicted upon ancestors and future generations. During the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for September 2025, President Mahama announced Ghana’s initiative to propose a resolution that recognizes slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as severe crimes against humanity.
To facilitate this effort, he has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to create a high-level committee tasked with overseeing consultations, refining the legal framework, and drafting a text that aligns with international law standards.
Significant advancements have already been made in this initiative, which is firmly anchored in international legal principles prohibiting slavery. This resolution is built on three fundamental pillars: ensuring historical accuracy, establishing legal defensibility, and promoting alignment among African nations and the diaspora.
Ghana has engaged in extensive discussions with various stakeholders, including UNESCO, the Global Group of Experts on Reparations, and several academic institutions. Earlier this month, Accra hosted a crucial joint meeting of AU legal experts to further develop the resolution.
Recent consultations have led to a refined title for the resolution: ‘Declaration of the Trafficking in Enslaved Africans and Racialized Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity.’ This precise language reflects the systematic nature of the injustices faced by millions of Africans and emphasizes the lasting impact of these historical crimes.
At the latest African Union Summit, the Executive Council recommended the endorsement of this resolution, which was adopted by consensus during the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, providing Ghana with strong continental backing.
Looking ahead, Ghana plans to engage with CARICOM at their upcoming meeting, recognizing the shared historical ties between Africa and the Caribbean. Intensive diplomatic efforts are scheduled to take place in New York starting February 20, 2026, involving discussions with various regional groups, including the Non-Aligned Movement and the European Union.
On March 24, Ghana will host a significant event at the United Nations, culminating in a ceremony at the African Burial Ground National Museum in New York, followed by the formal presentation of the resolution on March 25, coinciding with the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
President Mahama clarified that the resolution aims to foster truth and reconciliation rather than target any specific nation. He called for support from all Member States, emphasizing that the acknowledgment of these historical injustices is a step towards healing and structural equality.
This initiative offers a unique chance to confront a painful past and work towards a more just future. While the legacy of slavery cannot be erased, recognizing it is essential for meaningful reconciliation and justice.
