Ghana is seeking international backing at the United Nations for a draft resolution that would formally recognize the transatlantic slave trade as one of the gravest crimes against humanity. The initiative aims to reinforce ongoing debates about reparations and historical accountability.
Ahead of presenting the proposal, Ghana’s Permanent Representative, Samuel Yao Kumah, called on member states to view the resolution as a step toward acknowledging the full scope and enduring impact of one of history’s most destructive systems.
Addressing concerns that the resolution’s language might suggest ranking atrocities, Kumah clarified that the intent is not to compare human suffering or create a legal hierarchy among crimes against humanity. Instead, he emphasized that the focus is on identifying a historical system that fundamentally reshaped the modern world and continues to contribute to global inequalities.
He noted that other atrocities, including genocide, apartheid, and colonial violence, remain unequivocally condemned under international law. The resolution’s purpose, he said, is recognition rather than comparison.
For Ghana, the initiative represents a commitment to confronting historical realities honestly while laying the groundwork for broader discussions on justice and reparative actions.
Kumah further highlighted that endorsing the resolution should not be viewed as assigning blame, but as an expression of shared responsibility. Acknowledging the past, he explained, reflects a dedication to dignity, equality, and truth.
Between 1501 and 1867, more than 13 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic, separated from their homes, families, and futures. The repercussions of this history continue to influence the world to