Two statues in Ghana representing the country’s historical struggle with slavery and the push for UN recognition.
Ghana’s President John Mahama is leading a new diplomatic push to secure United Nations recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, backed by more than 40 African Union members. Ghana plans to present a resolution at the UN General Assembly in March, describing the centuries-long trade as a historic injustice that still shapes societies today. Historians estimate that up to 15 million Africans were forcibly transported between the 15th and 19th centuries, with millions dying during the Middle Passage. While Mahama says the initiative focuses first on historical acknowledgment, it could eventually open discussions on reparations. The proposal reflects growing African efforts to confront slavery’s legacy while balancing calls for justice with present-day governance priorities.
DW