Keypoints:
- Ghana preparing UN resolution recognising slavery as a crime against humanity
- Proposal expected to call for reparations and global acknowledgement
- African and Caribbean states likely to support initiative
GHANA plans to introduce a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly declaring the transatlantic slave trade the ‘gravest crime in the history of humankind’ while urging the international community to address its enduring consequences through reparations.
Officials in Accra say the proposal could be tabled as early as this month and expect it will attract support from a broad coalition of UN member states, according to a report by Reuters.
The initiative marks a significant escalation in Africa’s campaign for historical justice. By taking the debate to the UN General Assembly, Ghana hopes to secure global recognition of slavery’s long-term impact while advancing a broader diplomatic push for reparations supported by African and Caribbean governments.
Ghana seeks global recognition of slavery
In comments provided to Reuters, Ghana’s Foreign Ministry said the proposed resolution would highlight the scale and enduring consequences of the transatlantic slave trade, which forcibly displaced millions of Africans over several centuries.
‘The proposed resolution seeks to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime in the history of humankind, taking into account its scale, duration, legalisation and enduring consequences,’ the ministry said.
Ghana has emerged as one of the most vocal advocates for reparations in Africa. President John Mahama has repeatedly urged the international community to recognise slavery as a historic crime and pursue justice through diplomatic and legal channels.
Earlier this year, African and Caribbean countries began aligning behind a similar UN initiative recognising slavery as a global crime, according to Africa Briefing reporting on the joint reparations push.
Ghana has also been mobilising support across the continent, with Accra positioning itself as a diplomatic centre for the global reparations movement. Previous Africa Briefing coverage highlighted calls from President Mahama for the UN to formally recognise the slave trade as a crime against humanity.
African and Caribbean backing expected
Diplomats say Ghana’s proposal is likely to gain strong backing from African and Caribbean governments that have been coordinating their positions on reparations.
The African Union has been working to develop a unified framework among its 55 member states outlining what reparations could include, ranging from financial compensation and formal apologies to institutional reforms aimed at addressing the legacy of slavery and colonialism.
AU leaders endorsed the concept of the UN resolution during a recent summit, strengthening diplomatic momentum behind the initiative.
Countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are also expected to support the proposal. The Caribbean bloc has already developed a regional reparations programme seeking apologies, debt relief and development support from former colonial powers.
The growing diplomatic push follows broader global discussions about reparations, including debates within the Commonwealth and other international institutions. Africa Briefing previously reported that Commonwealth states are exploring pathways toward formal negotiations on slavery reparations.
Debate over historical accountability
Despite growing momentum behind the reparations movement, the issue remains politically contentious in Europe and North America.
Some Western leaders argue that current governments should not be held responsible for crimes committed centuries ago. Advocates for reparations counter that the wealth accumulated during the slave trade helped shape global economic inequalities that persist today.
Historians estimate that at least 12.5 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic between the 15th and 19th centuries, creating one of the largest forced migrations in human history.
Ghanaian officials say the resolution is not intended to inflame political tensions but to foster recognition and reconciliation.
‘A backlash against truth is one that we hope would not occur,’ the Foreign Ministry said. ‘Ghana is not seeking to reopen old wounds but to heal those wounds with truth.’
Tribunal discussions gaining traction
The resolution may also reinforce ongoing discussions about creating an international tribunal to address claims linked to slavery and colonial exploitation.
African and Caribbean governments have been exploring legal options, including the possibility of pursuing cases through international courts or establishing a specialised UN tribunal focused on reparations.
Legal experts note that previous international tribunals have been established through UN resolutions or Security Council mandates, raising the possibility that similar mechanisms could eventually be used to address slavery-related claims.
Renewed momentum for reparations
For Ghana and its allies, the proposed resolution reflects growing international momentum behind the call for historical accountability.
Diplomats in Accra say they remain confident the proposal will gain wide backing once it is introduced at the UN General Assembly.
‘We remain optimistic that others would equally be able to do so,’ the ministry said.
