'When history beckoned, we did what was right' – Mahama on UN slavery resolution

President John Dramani Mahama has called on the global community to come together in acknowledging the transatlantic slave trade as one of history’s greatest crimes, urging nations to act with honesty, unity, and a sense of justice.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, he said the moment demands moral clarity and collective responsibility.

“Let it be recorded that when history beckoned, we did what was right for the memory of the millions who suffered the indignity of slavery,” he said.

Reflecting on the significance of the day, President Mahama noted that it honours an estimated 13 million Africans who were taken into slavery over centuries. He stressed the importance of keeping their stories alive through education, remembrance, and global reflection.

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“Through these activities, we do more than remember. We document and educate; we gain a greater perspective,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the African Group, he highlighted a growing push for a new resolution that would formally recognise the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as among the gravest crimes against humanity. He explained that the proposal is the result of months of consultations among African states, scholars, and legal experts.

“This draft resolution is the result of months of consultation and consensus-building… with the sole aim of achieving a united front and grounding the final outcome in truth, compassion, and moral conscience,” he said.

According to him, adopting the resolution would help preserve historical memory and prevent future generations from forgetting the full impact of slavery.

“The adoption of this resolution serves as a safeguard against forgetting,” he added.

He also called for healing and reparative justice, urging nations to confront the past with courage and compassion.

“Today, we come together in solemn solidarity to affirm truth and pursue a route to healing and reparative justice,” he said.

Ending on a reflective note, President Mahama urged the world to rise to the moment and stand firmly on the side of justice.

“On this beautiful day in March, we are called to stand on the right side of history,” he said.

NA/BAI

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