Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed disappointment with the United States' vote against a landmark United Nations resolution. This resolution recognised the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Mr. Mahama stated his surprise, noting he does not hold the US primarily accountable for the transatlantic slave trade.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, August 21, Mr. Mahama explained his reasoning. He highlighted that most enslaved Africans brought to what became the United States were transported by European powers. This occurred when the US itself was still a colony. He acknowledged slavery continued in the US after independence, ending only after the Civil War.
This stance by Mr. Mahama fits into Ghana's broader economic and political narrative on reparatory justice. Ghana has actively championed the global campaign for reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. The country seeks to address the lasting economic disparities and social inequalities caused by this historical injustice. This campaign aims to secure concrete measures for healing and restitution.
Mr. Mahama stated, "I was disappointed that they did because I don't hold the US accountable for slavery." He further elaborated that European countries, which organised and facilitated the trafficking, should feel more adverse to the resolution. He expressed concern that the US voted against it, while European nations with direct historical links merely abstained.
The implications of this diplomatic stance are significant for Ghana's ongoing advocacy. The UN resolution, though not legally binding, carries substantial political and moral weight. It sets the stage for continued international dialogue on reparatory justice. Decision-makers and global markets will watch how this push for reparations evolves into practical measures and potential financial commitments.
Ghana secured a historic victory at the UN General Assembly on March 25, 2026. A total of 123 countries voted in favour of the resolution. The United States, Israel, and Argentina voted against it. Meanwhile, 52 countries, including Britain and European Union member states, chose to abstain. This outcome underscores the complex international landscape surrounding historical reparations.
The resolution, spearheaded by President Mahama in his role as the African Union Champion for advancing justice and reparations, also calls for good-faith dialogue. This dialogue includes discussions on reparatory justice and the restitution of cultural property. It represents a major milestone in Ghana's efforts to place reparatory justice at the centre of the international agenda.
The transatlantic slave trade forcibly removed millions of Africans from the continent between the 15th and 19th centuries. Its enduring effects continue to shape debates on racial inequality and economic disparities. Mr. Mahama maintains that the reparations campaign aims to promote truth, healing, and reconciliation. It also seeks practical measures to address these lasting consequences.
At a high-level consultative conference in Accra in June, Mr. Mahama stressed the need for concrete action. He argued that the pursuit of reparatory justice should move beyond mere resolutions. The European Union explained its abstention by citing concerns about the resolution's legal formulations. These included claims for reparations and the application of international law to historical events.
Ghana's reparations campaign is expected to remain a major component of the country's international diplomacy. The government plans to work with African and diaspora partners. Their goal is to translate the UN resolution into practical measures for reparatory justice. This ongoing effort highlights Ghana's commitment to addressing historical injustices and their modern-day impacts.