Back Ghana’s slavery resolution at UN, Ablakwa urges AU Foreign Ministers
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on his counterparts across Africa to support Ghana’s plan to table a motion on slavery at the United Nations next month on behalf of the African Union.
Addressing the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday, Mr Ablakwa appealed for continental solidarity ahead of the proposed resolution at the UN General Assembly.
“Ghana, on behalf of the African Union, intends to table a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly on the 25th of March this year, seeking the formal and universal recognition of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the gravest crime against humanity.
“Ghana formally requests the unflinching support and co-sponsorship of all AU member states for this resolution,” he said.
He explained that Ghana had engaged extensively with experts within the AU, the Caribbean Community and Common Market and the wider diaspora in shaping the initiative, stressing that the time had come for Africa to speak with one voice in pursuit of reparative justice.
“By standing together at the UN, we signal to the world that Africa will no longer allow the scale of its historical suffering to be minimised. We seek not only recognition, but a global legal framework that paves the way for healing, accountability, restitution and restorative justice,” he stated.
The minister said Ghana’s leadership in championing the AU’s 2025 theme of the year on reparations was intended to build momentum towards what has been proposed as a Decade of Reparations from 2026 to 2035.
“For centuries, the transatlantic slave trade decimated our populations and laid the foundations for global economic inequalities that persist till today.
“Ghana is honoured to have championed the 2025 theme of the year on Reparations, and we welcome the recommendation of the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting to transition this momentum into the Decade of Reparations, from 2026 to 2035.
“It is imperative that we remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice, recognizing that the scars of colonialism and slavery continue to impact our development trajectory,” he said.
Mr Ablakwa also commended neighbouring Togo for its efforts to correct distortions in the map of Africa, describing the move as an “essential step in reclaiming Africa’s true global image”. He noted that the initiative was consistent with the Accra Declaration on Reparations and the AU Assembly’s decision on reparative justice.
The summit has drawn diplomats, civil society representatives and journalists from across the continent. It precedes the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU, scheduled for February 14 and 15, which President John Dramani Mahama and other African leaders are expected to attend. President Mahama is also due to address the Assembly and hold bilateral and multilateral meetings on the margins of the summit.
Touching on security concerns, Mr Ablakwa condemned the rising incidence of conflicts, as well as the activities of terrorists and violent extremists on the continent. He urged African leaders and stakeholders to renew their commitment to peace as a prerequisite for development.
“Ghana would also want to deplore the rising incidents of conflict and insecurity in our region. It is time for us to silence the guns, and it is time to commit to lasting peace.
“We are one people and we shall unite and pursue the development of our continent and the prosperity of our people,” Mr Ablakwa said.
