President John Dramani Mahama has described the United Nations General Assembly’s approval of Ghana’s reparations motion as a landmark diplomatic achievement for the country and the African continent.
The resolution, which was passed on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, calls for a reinforced global commitment to reparative justice for African nations and the descendants of enslaved Africans. It urges member states to engage in formal discussions and implement concrete measures to address the persistent social, economic, and cultural legacies of slavery.
Following extensive deliberations, the motion secured 123 votes in favor. However, it faced opposition from countries including the United States, Argentina, and Israel, while 52 nations abstained. The United States government deemed the resolution “highly problematic,” acknowledging the historical injustice of slavery but expressing reservations regarding the question of who would ultimately benefit from reparations.
In a statement shared on the X platform on March 26, President Mahama expressed his excitement over the decision, which formally recognizes the enslavement and trafficking of Africans as among the gravest crimes against humanity.
He attributed the success to robust collaboration with international partners, highlighting the critical roles played by the African Union (AU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in advancing the proposal from its conceptual stage to adoption.
According to the President, the resolution represents a crucial step toward acknowledging and honoring the millions who suffered as a result of the transatlantic slave trade. Drawing on the words of Toussaint Louverture, he emphasized the power of unity in confronting historical injustices.
He concluded by calling for sustained global cooperation to continue the pursuit of justice and restore dignity to those impacted by slavery.
