President John Mahama has announced that Ghana will present a motion at the United Nations seeking formal recognition of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as the gravest crimes against humanity, while also paying tribute to the leaders who have guided the country since independence.
Speaking during Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebration on March 6, the President reflected on the contributions of past administrations to the nation’s democratic growth and stability.
Reflecting on the legacy of slavery, the President referenced the painful history associated with Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, which served as departure points for enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade.
“The dungeons of the Cape Coast and Elmina castles remind us of the dark chapters of history when millions of Africans were forcibly transported across the Middle Passage to the so-called New World. Yet from that tragedy arose the remarkable resilience, creativity, and cultural brilliance that continue to influence the world,” he said.
President Mahama further revealed that Ghana’s motion at the United Nations will push for justice and restitution for descendants of enslaved Africans.
“Later this month, Ghana will submit a motion to the United Nations declaring slavery and the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity. This motion will represent the justice and restitution that is long overdue. Ghana, the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence, will once again lead the global call for dignity and restoration,” he added.
He also welcomed Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, highlighting the deep historical ties between Ghana and the Caribbean.
“Your visits and our bilateral engagements represent more than just diplomacy. They signify a historic reconnection between Ghana and our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean, branches of the same ancestral tree,” he stated.
He concluded by urging citizens to unite in building a fair, peaceful and prosperous nation.
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