The Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has told states that opposed or sat out the United Nations (UN) vote on slavery reparations that Ghana feels no ill will and will keep warm diplomatic ties.
In a Sunday, 3 May 2026 Facebook post, the Foreign Affairs minister said he briefed members of the diplomatic community in Ghana after the landmark approval of the resolution at the UN General Assembly.
He said the session was to relay President John Dramani Mahama’s and Ghanaians’ gratitude for the broad global backing that helped pass the measure declaring transatlantic enslavement the worst crime against humanity.
“I held a briefing of the diplomatic corps in Ghana. The objective was to express the appreciation of President John Mahama and all Ghanaians including my humble self for their country’s support during the historic UN adoption of the resolution declaring transatlantic enslavement as the gravest crime against humanity,” he stated.
Mr Ablakwa noted that though some nations voted no or abstained, Ghana does not expect those choices to harm current bilateral relations. He also conveyed President Mahama’s call for every country to join what he called a growing worldwide alliance for reparatory justice as work increases to tackle the lasting effects of enslavement.
On Wednesday, 25 March 2026, 123 nations backed the motion presented by President Mahama at the UN General Assembly. The measure, urging the UN to officially label the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade the gravest crime ever against humanity, passed despite resistance from the United States, Argentina and Israel, with 52 states abstaining
Mr .Ablakwa further praised the Netherlands and Germany for signaling that their governments will shortly repatriate artefacts held in their countries.
