Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on Tuesday, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to spearheading sustained global engagement on reparative justice, following the adoption of a historic United Nations resolution.
Speaking at a media briefing, Ablakwa highlighted the successful passage of Ghana-led Resolution A/80/L.48 by the UN General Assembly last Wednesday, with backing from 123 member States. The resolution recognizes the transatlantic slave trade and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
He described the milestone as a starting point towards achieving reparative justice and upholding the principle that all people are born free. Ghana, under President John Dramani Mahama and in his role as the African Union’s champion on reparations, will work to establish mechanisms to support the resolution’s implementation.
The minister further underscored Ghana’s resolve to collaborate with UN and African Union member states and international partners to sustain momentum on historical justice, equity, and recognition of the experiences of Africans and people of African descent.
He also called on countries that did not support the resolution to join efforts aimed at dismantling systemic discrimination and racism globally.
The resolution advocates formal apologies, restitution, compensation, the return of cultural artefacts, and policy reforms to address enduring inequalities linked to the legacy of slavery.