Mahama Calls for Africa Reparations, Citing Colonial Wrongs
President John Dramani Mahama said Ghana will table a United Nations motion next year to have the trans‑Atlantic slave trade recognised as the greatest crime against humanity and to push for reparations for Africa.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), the former president outlined Ghana’s diplomatic strategy and its timing alongside the country’s 65th anniversary of ties with China.
“Ghana wants to move a motion in the UN next year asking the world to recognise the slave trade as the greatest crime against humanity,” Mahama stated.
He added that Ghana will continue to champion reparations, noting that he has consistently raised the issue in international forums, including previous United Nations sessions.
Mahama also recalled the injustices of colonialism, pointing to the Berlin Conference where European powers partitioned Africa and extracted resources such as oil, palm, gold, minerals and cocoa to build their own economies.
“Colonialism was an injustice against African countries,” he said, stressing that independence for nations like Ghana only came in the late 1950s.
The interview coincided with celebrations of 65 years of Ghana‑China diplomatic relations, during which trade, industrialisation and infrastructure development were highlighted.
Host Wang Guan and Mahama discussed China’s proposed Global Governance Initiative, describing its potential to strengthen development cooperation between China and African nations.
The session underscored Ghana’s broader role in advocating for African historical justice while charting a path toward modernisation and economic growth.
If adopted, the UN motion could set a precedent for reparations claims and shape future resolutions, prompting Ghana to lobby the African Union and other partners for broad support ahead of the 2026 General Assembly.
The story will be followed closely as Ghana prepares the draft motion and seeks international backing for its historic initiative.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
