President Mahama Celebrates UN Approval of Ghana’s Reparations Motion as Historic Victory

President John Dramani Mahama has hailed the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of Ghana’s reparations motion as a significant diplomatic success.

The resolution, passed on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, calls for stronger global commitment to reparative justice for African nations and descendants of enslaved Africans. It encourages member states to engage in formal discussions and implement practical measures to address the enduring social, economic, and cultural consequences of slavery.

Following extensive debate, the motion was approved with 123 votes in favour. However, countries including the United States, Argentina, and Israel voted against it, while 52 nations abstained. The United States described the resolution as “highly problematic,” acknowledging the injustice of slavery but expressing concerns about who would ultimately benefit from reparations.

In a post shared on the X platform on March 26, Mahama expressed his excitement over the decision, which recognises the enslavement and trafficking of Africans as one of the gravest crimes against humanity.

He credited the success to strong collaboration among international partners, highlighting the roles played by the African Union and CARICOM in advancing the proposal from concept to adoption.

According to Mahama, the resolution marks an important step toward acknowledging and honouring the millions affected by the transatlantic slave trade. Referencing the words of Toussaint Louverture, he underscored the power of unity in confronting historical injustices.

He concluded by calling for sustained global cooperation to pursue justice and restore dignity to those impacted by slavery.