By: Hannah Dadzie
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for unified African Union support as the country prepares to table a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly seeking formal recognition of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery as the gravest crimes against humanity.
Addressing the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Ablakwa reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order, expressing confidence that “unity and solidarity shall triumph over division.”
He commended the Permanent Representatives Committee and the AU Commission for their technical and administrative preparations, and thanked Ethiopia for its hospitality.
The Foreign Affairs Minister underscored that the transatlantic slave trade decimated African populations and entrenched global economic inequalities that persist today. He said Ghana was honoured to have championed reparations efforts in 2025 and welcomed the recommendation of the AU’s 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting to transition current advocacy into a Decade of Reparations from 2026 to 2035.
In line with the Accra Declaration on Reparations and decisions of the AU Assembly on reparative justice, Ghana intends to present the resolution at the UN General Assembly on March 25. The move, Mr. Ablakwa said, seeks universal recognition of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade as crimes against humanity and aims to establish a global legal framework to advance healing, accountability, restitution and restorative justice.
He indicated that Ghana has engaged extensively with experts within the African Union, the CARICOM Reparations Commission, and the wider African diaspora to build broad-based support for the initiative. He appealed to all AU member states to co-sponsor the resolution, stressing that a united African front would send a strong signal to the international community.
“By standing together at the United Nations, we signal to the world that Africa will no longer allow the scale of its historical suffering to be minimized. We seek not only recognition, but a global legal framework that paves the way for healing, accountability, restitution and restorative justice.” The Ablakwa indicated
Mr. Ablakwa also commended the Republic of Togo for its initiative to correct distortions in the map of Africa, describing it as part of efforts to reclaim the continent’s global image.
Beyond reparations, the Minister expressed concern over rising incidents of conflict and insecurity across the continent, urging African nations to recommit to peace and stability. He called for renewed determination to “silence the guns” and advance development and prosperity for the continent’s people.
“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
This reinforced Ghana’s position that justice for historical wrongs and sustainable peace remain central to Africa’s collective future.
The summit precedes the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU, scheduled for February 14 and 15. 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.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com
