President John Dramani Mahama has welcomed the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
In a statement on social media platform X marking the development, Mr. Mahama expressed joy over what he described as a historic milestone in recognising the injustices of the transatlantic slave trade.
According to him, the journey from concept to adoption was made possible through the solidarity of people of good conscience across the world, led by a coalition of the African Union, CARICOM, and other groups.
He noted that the resolution serves as a fitting tribute to millions of Africans who were trafficked and enslaved, particularly as it coincides with global remembrance efforts. Nearly 13 million Africans are estimated to have been affected by the transatlantic slave trade.
President Mahama also invoked the legacy of François-Dominique Toussaint L’Ouverture, a former enslaved African who became a central figure in Haiti’s liberation. He cited Toussaint L’Ouverture’s words that “the greatest weapon against oppression is unity,” stressing the need for continued global solidarity.
He emphasised the importance of unity in restoring the dignity and humanity of enslaved Africans and called for sustained efforts to address the enduring legacy of slavery and racial injustice.
