President John Dramani Mahama’s motion at the United Nations General Assembly calling for recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity has been adopted, with 123 member states voting in favour, 3 against, and 52 abstaining.
The resolution was presented by John Dramani Mahama during the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, following months of consultations with regional bodies, experts, and legal scholars aimed at building consensus around the proposal.
During the debate, countries from various regions, including Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Western Europe, and all 14 members of CARICOM, expressed support for the motion.
Several delegations also encouraged broader acknowledgment of the historical impact of the slave trade and discussed related issues such as reparative justice and the restitution of cultural artifacts.
The adoption of the resolution marks the conclusion of Ghana’s campaign on behalf of the African Union, where Mahama has been serving as a leading advocate on reparations.
