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UN resolution seeks historic recognition of slave trade
Ghana is leading a push at the United Nations to formally designate the transatlantic slave trade as the most severe crime against humanity in history. The resolution, set for a vote this Wednesday, calls on member states to consider apologies and reparations for the centuries-long atrocity.
Demands for justice and reparations
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's foreign minister, emphasized that the campaign is not about financial gain for African leaders but about securing justice for victims. Proposed measures include educational endowments, skills training funds, and support for initiatives addressing the enduring impacts of slavery.
"We want justice for the victims and causes to be supported-educational and endowment funds, skills training funds."
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's Foreign Minister
The African Union and Caribbean Community back the resolution, which has gained traction in recent years. Reparatory justice was the African Union's official theme for 2025, and Commonwealth leaders have urged dialogue on the issue.
Historical toll and lasting consequences
Between 1500 and 1800, an estimated 12 to 15 million Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas, with over two million dying during the brutal journey. The resolution argues that the legacy of slavery persists in systemic racial inequalities and underdevelopment affecting Africans and people of African descent globally.
"Many generations continue to suffer exclusion and racism because of the transatlantic slave trade, which left millions separated from the continent and impoverished."
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Ghana's role and broader demands
Ghana, a key transit point for the slave trade, has long championed reparations. Coastal forts, where enslaved Africans were held in deplorable conditions, remain as stark reminders of the trade's brutality. The resolution also urges the return of cultural artifacts looted during colonialism.
"We want the return of all looted artifacts, which represent our heritage, culture, and spiritual significance."
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Political resistance and global reactions
The resolution faces opposition, particularly from nations like the UK, which argue that contemporary institutions cannot be held accountable for historical wrongs. Meanwhile, Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama criticized recent U.S. policies under Donald Trump, accusing his administration of normalizing the erasure of Black history through actions like restoring Confederate statues and dismantling slavery exhibits.
"These policies are becoming a template for other governments and private institutions."
John Dramani Mahama, Ghana's President
What's next
The UN General Assembly vote on Wednesday could mark a pivotal moment in acknowledging the slave trade's horrors. Advocates hope it will pave the way for meaningful reparations and healing, though resistance from some member states remains likely.
