By Hannah Dadzie
Ghana has called for sustained unity and constructive engagement among the international community following the adoption of a landmark resolution by the United Nations General Assembly declaring the trafficking and enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity, setting the stage for a major global conference on reparatory justice in June 2026.
At a briefing with members of the Diplomatic Corps in Accra, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, urged diplomats to regard Ghana as “home” and remain actively engaged in shaping the next phase of global action following the resolution’s adoption.
The resolution, passed on March 25, 2026, with 123 votes in favour, marks the first time in the UN’s history that the international community has formally recognised the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. Mr Ablakwa described the development as a “moral, historical and symbolic milestone” with far-reaching implications for global justice and equality.
He noted that the resolution not only acknowledges the scale and brutality of slavery but also its enduring legacy in shaping global systems of labour, wealth distribution and racial hierarchy.
“This is a defining moment that calls for responsibility, not division,” he said.
As part of efforts to translate the resolution into concrete outcomes, Ghana, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, who also serves as African Union Champion on Reparatory Justice, will host a High-Level Consultative Conference in Accra from June 17 to 19, 2026.
The conference is expected to bring together heads of state, foreign ministers, diplomats, scholars, civil society actors and members of the African diaspora to develop a structured global framework for reparatory justice. According to the Minister, discussions will focus on restitution of cultural heritage, legal pathways and institutional mechanisms to ensure accountability and sustained progress.
A preparatory meeting of senior officials and technical experts will precede the main conference, followed by a high-level segment featuring thematic discussions and interactive exchanges. Three key panels, a global advisory panel, a restitution panel and a legal pathways panel, will be inaugurated to guide the process.
The conference will conclude with a symbolic commemorative event at the historic Osu Castle, a site deeply linked to the transatlantic slave trade. The event will coincide with Juneteenth, marking what officials say will be the first joint observance of the day between an African country and the United States in solidarity with the global African diaspora.
Mr Ablakwa emphasised that Ghana’s approach is rooted in partnership rather than confrontation, urging countries that supported, abstained or opposed the resolution to engage in good faith dialogue. He cited recent engagement with Emmanuel Macron, who has expressed willingness to participate in constructive discussions, as an example of the spirit Ghana seeks to promote.
The Minister further outlined plans for sustained international engagement, including a high-level side event during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, a diaspora homecoming and resettlement initiative later in 2026, and efforts to establish a transatlantic slave museum on African soil.
During the interactive session, members of the Diplomatic Corps expressed mixed but largely supportive views.
Morocco’s Ambassador to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil, reaffirmed her country’s strong backing for the resolution and indicated its readiness to collaborate with Ghana in advancing the reparatory justice agenda. Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, however, raised concerns about the phrasing of the resolution, particularly the designation of slavery as “the gravest crime against humanity,” suggesting that describing it as “one of the gravest crimes” could have broadened consensus.
In response, Mr Ablakwa clarified that the resolution reflects the will of the majority of UN member states and is no longer subject to amendment. He stressed that Ghana is not ranking atrocities but highlighting the unique scale, duration and enduring impact of the transatlantic slave trade, which affected more than 12 million Africans over several centuries. He added that this recognition does not diminish other historical tragedies, including the Holocaust, which Ghana continues to condemn.
Other diplomatic interventions highlighted the human and cultural impact of slavery. A representative from Suriname, speaking from a CARICOM perspective, underscored the deep-rooted legacy of enslavement in identity, language and heritage across the Caribbean, pointing to the lasting effects of centuries of displacement.
Meanwhile, a diaspora representative, Ambassador Dr. Erieka Bennett, described the resolution as a “dream come true” for millions of people of African descent worldwide, expressing appreciation to Ghana’s leadership for championing the cause and restoring historical dignity.
Mr Ablakwa cautioned against attempts to politicise or derail the process, noting that Ghana has deliberately ignored provocations in order to remain focused on dialogue and partnership.
“There must be no tension based on how any country voted. We are all entitled to our views, but we must work together to ensure that the noble objectives of this resolution are realised,” he said.
The Minister called on the Diplomatic Corps to remain actively engaged, stressing that the credibility of the international system depends on its ability to confront historical injustices and deliver meaningful change.
“Together, we must ensure that this moment becomes a foundation for renewed multilateralism anchored in justice, dignity and shared humanity,” he added.
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