Ablakwa applauds landmark UN vote on slave trade reparations

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has hailed the adoption of a landmark United Nations resolution on the transatlantic slave trade as a defining moment in the global push for justice and historical accountability.

The resolution, spearheaded by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, was overwhelmingly approved by the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, with 123 member states voting in support.

At its heart, the resolution calls for a renewed global commitment to reparative justice—urging countries to move beyond acknowledgement and begin meaningful conversations and actions to address the lasting scars of slavery. It encourages structured dialogue among nations and concrete steps to tackle the deep-rooted social and economic inequalities linked to the transatlantic slave trade.

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Speaking to journalists shortly after the vote, Ablakwa reflected on the broader significance of the decision, particularly for future generations.

“What we have achieved today helps all of us in our renewed commitment to remembrance, education, dialogue, and cooperation, so that we confront history honestly and address its legacies in ways that unite rather than divide,” he said.

The path to adoption was not without resistance. The United States, Argentina, and Israel voted against the resolution, while 52 countries chose to abstain, highlighting ongoing global divisions on how best to confront the past.

Despite this, Ablakwa described the outcome as both a diplomatic and moral victory—not just for Ghana, but for Africa and people of African descent around the world. For him, it signals a growing international willingness to face uncomfortable truths and work towards justice, with Africa taking a leading role in shaping that conversation.

NA/BAI

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