President John Dramani Mahama has once again urged United Nations member states to support Ghana’s proposal seeking recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, as multiple countries voiced backing for the initiative during a session at the United Nations General Assembly marking the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Presenting the motion, John Dramani Mahama called on countries to support the resolution, noting that it followed extensive consultations involving regional bodies, experts, and legal scholars aimed at building consensus.
He described the proposal as one grounded in collective input and intended to promote remembrance, education, and dialogue among member states.
During the debate, representatives from regions including Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Western Europe, and Caribbean nations, including all 14 members of CARICOM, expressed support for the motion.
Many of them encouraged member states to acknowledge the historical impact of the slave trade and to consider calls for reparative justice and the return of cultural artifacts.
Countries such as Lebanon, Cuba, the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Vietnam, the Holy See, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Russia were among those that spoke in favour of the proposal.
