Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has achieved a historic diplomatic breakthrough after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a motion on reparations for the transatlantic slave trade.
The motion, presented under Ghana’s leadership on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, calls for renewed global commitment to reparative justice for African nations and descendants of enslaved people. It urges member states to engage in structured dialogue and take concrete steps to address the enduring social, economic, and cultural consequences of slavery.
Following extensive deliberations, the resolution was passed with 123 votes in favour. Three countries—the United States, Argentina, and Israel—voted against it, while 52 nations abstained.
The United States described the African Union-backed reparatory justice resolution as “highly problematic.” While acknowledging the historical injustices of slavery, the US delegation expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding the beneficiaries of such reparations.
“While we recognize the wrongs of the past, we are unclear on who the beneficiaries of reparatory justice would be, and therefore cannot support the resolution at this time,” the US representative stated during the plenary session.
Despite the opposition, the adoption of the motion is widely seen as a major milestone in global efforts to confront the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. It signals growing international recognition of the need for justice, remembrance, and meaningful reparative action.
