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Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on the international community to demonstrate a renewed and concrete commitment to reparatory justice for Africans and people of African descent affected by the transatlantic slave trade.
Speaking at a high-level event at the United Nations in New York, Ablakwa emphasised the need for the world to confront the enduring legacy of slavery with honesty, responsibility and collective action.
“We gather here today in remembrance of millions of Africans whose lives were violently truncated by the transatlantic slave trade,” he said, noting that the system reduced generations of Africans to commodities and fuelled unjust economic gains across continents.
He pointed to Ghana’s historic role in the slave trade, referencing the forts and castles along the country’s coastline, including Cape Coast and Elmina, as enduring symbols of a painful past. According to him, these sites stand as “silent witnesses” to a vast system of human exploitation that forcibly displaced more than 12 million Africans.
The minister underscored the importance of remembrance as a foundation for justice, stating that honouring the victims must go beyond reflection to include deliberate efforts toward healing and restitution.
Earlier in the day, Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, led a commemorative ceremony at the African Burial Ground National Monument, where participants paid tribute to victims of slavery and acknowledged their contributions to shaping the modern world.
Ablakwa said the event formed part of broader global efforts to address historical injustices and their lingering effects, including racial discrimination, economic disparities and structural inequalities.
He highlighted Ghana’s role as the African Union’s champion for reparatory justice, noting that the country is working with international partners to advance dialogue and build consensus on reparations for affected communities.
The minister also revealed that a resolution championed by President Mahama would be tabled at the UN, seeking to formally declare the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crime against humanity. He explained that the move is intended not to reopen historical divisions, but to affirm truth and strengthen global commitment to justice, dignity and equality.
Ablakwa expressed appreciation to global partners, civil society organisations and prominent advocates supporting the initiative, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights leaders in the United States.
He further commended the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for supporting Ghana’s efforts and providing a platform for the high-level discussions.
“As we honour the victims, we must also deepen our understanding of this history and strengthen our resolve to build a world where dignity, equality and justice are upheld for all,” he said.
The event, held on the eve of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, brought together global leaders, scholars and advocates to reflect on the past and chart a path toward reparatory justice.
Yaw Boagyan
