Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described slavery as “the most horrendous crime in human history,” ahead of a landmark vote at the UN General Assembly.
Member states are set to vote on a resolution, led by Ghana, that seeks to formally recognise the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity.” The proposal urges UN members to consider issuing apologies and contributing to a reparations fund.
The resolution is expected to face resistance from countries such as the UK, which has long argued that modern institutions cannot be held responsible for historical wrongs.
Supporters, including the African Union, argue that the measure represents a vital step toward justice and healing.
Speaking to the BBC’s Newsday programme, Ablakwa said: “We are demanding compensation—and let us be clear, African leaders are not asking for money for themselves. We want justice for the victims and support for causes like educational and endowment funds, and skills training programs.”
He emphasised that the resolution is not about ranking Africa’s suffering above other histories of oppression, but about documenting a historical fact.
Between 1500 and 1800, an estimated 12–15 million Africans were captured and transported to the Americas as slaves, with over two million dying during the journey. Ghana, one of the main gateways of the transatlantic trade, has long been a leading advocate for reparations.
The resolution also calls for the return of cultural artefacts looted during the colonial era. Ablakwa said, “We want the return of all looted artefacts, which represent our heritage, our culture, and our spiritual significance. These objects, taken over centuries, must be returned to their rightful places.”
President John Dramani Mahama has described the resolution as “historic” and “a safeguard against forgetting.”