The United Nations General Assembly has adopted resolution A/80/L.48, a landmark initiative led by Ghana, formally recognizing the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. This historic decision, passed on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, signifies a crucial step toward truth, justice, and healing, reinforcing the urgent need to address the enduring legacy of slavery.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, welcomed the adoption, describing it as a testament to Africa’s longstanding and principled call for full recognition of the slave trade and its lasting consequences. In a statement, the AU Commission Chairperson commended Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama for his important leadership in advancing this resolution. The AUC Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s call for comprehensive acknowledgment of the historical and contemporary impacts of slavery, including the pursuit of reparative justice, aligning with Agenda 2063 and relevant Assembly decisions. The African Union remains committed to working with the United Nations, Member States, and partners to advance historical justice and ensure such crimes are neither forgotten nor repeated.

President John Dramani Mahama himself described the resolution’s adoption as a landmark achievement, signaling renewed global momentum towards justice for victims of slavery and their descendants. The resolution calls on member states to commit to structured dialogue and concrete measures to address the enduring social, economic, and cultural consequences of the transatlantic slave trade. It garnered strong international backing, with 123 countries voting in favour, while the United States, Argentina, and Israel opposed it, and 52 nations abstained. Reacting on Thursday, March 26, President Mahama expressed profound delight, crediting the success to broad international collaboration, particularly highlighting the roles played by regional and global partners, including the African Union and CARICOM. He emphasized the symbolic and moral significance of the resolution, seeing it as a vital step in honoring the millions affected by slavery and echoing Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture, stating, “The greatest weapon against oppression is unity,” while urging continued global cooperation to restore dignity and justice.

Further solidifying the national pride associated with this diplomatic success, Ghana’s Council of State officially congratulated President John Dramani Mahama. In a press statement dated March 27, 2026, the Council lauded the President for his distinguished success at the United Nations General Assembly in advancing Ghana’s position on slavery and its enduring consequences. The Council praised his visionary leadership, diplomatic acumen, and unwavering commitment to justice, human dignity, and historical accountability, noting that this milestone reinforces Ghana’s longstanding reputation as a strong voice on Pan-Africanism and a principled actor within the international community. The Council expressed confidence that this development would inspire national pride and strengthen Ghana’s role in promoting equity and justice worldwide, assuring their continued support to the President.