John Dramani Mahama has delivered a powerful and thought-provoking address at a high-level event on reparatory justice at the United Nations, urging the global community to confront the full truth of the transatlantic slave trade and its enduring consequences.
Speaking before heads of state and diplomats, President Mahama framed his message around the power of language, insisting that historical narratives must reflect the humanity of those who suffered.
“There is no such thing as a slave,” he declared. “There were human beings who were trafficked and then enslaved.”
He argued that the transatlantic slave trade was built on a deliberate system that denied Africans their humanity, rooted in a false racial hierarchy that elevated whiteness while dehumanising Black people.
Reclaiming Humanity Through Truth
Central to the President’s speech was a call to reclaim dignity and correct historical distortions. He stressed that recognising the humanity of enslaved Africans is essential to advancing reparatory justice.
“This resolution allows us… to collectively bear witness to the plight of the 18 million men, women, and children whose lives were stolen.”
He described the proposed UN resolution as both a pathway to healing and a safeguard against forgetting.
Mahama emphasised that remembrance must go beyond symbolism, warning that “violence begins with language” and that misrepresentation continues to perpetuate injustice.
Brutal Realities of the Slave Trade
The President painted a harrowing picture of the transatlantic slave trade, recounting the inhumane conditions endured during the Middle Passage and on plantations across the Americas and the Caribbean.
He described how enslaved Africans were stripped of their names, identities, and dignity, subjected to forced labour, violence, and systemic exploitation.
He highlighted the scale of the trade, noting that millions were trafficked to regions such as Brazil, Jamaica, and North America, where their labour fueled economic expansion.
The system, he argued, thrived on exploitation, with African lives treated as disposable commodities.
“Business was booming because when labour is virtually free, profit margins are huge,” he stated, underscoring the economic foundations of slavery.
Challenging Historical Erasure
Beyond recounting history, President Mahama warned against ongoing attempts to distort or erase the legacy of slavery.
He cited examples of educational materials and policies that downplay or misrepresent the realities of slavery, cautioning that such narratives risk normalising ignorance.
He criticised the use of euphemisms and misleading language, pointing to instances where enslaved Africans were described merely as “workers,” arguing that such framing obscures the brutality of their experiences.
“Erasure begins with language,” he said, adding that silence around Africa’s contributions to global development has created a distorted historical narrative.
Africa’s Contributions and Resilience
Mahama also highlighted the immense contributions of Africans and the diaspora to the development of Europe and the Americas, from building infrastructure to sustaining plantation economies. Despite centuries of exploitation, he said, Africa’s resilience remains evident.
“Our survival is a testament” to the enduring strength of African people, he noted, emphasising that the continent’s historical achievements—from advanced civilisations to architectural innovations—have often been overlooked or denied.
Drawing on historical accounts, he challenged long-held misconceptions about Africa’s past, reinforcing the need to restore pride and recognition to African heritage.
A Call to Action for Global Justice
In his closing remarks, President Mahama called on the international community to support a historic resolution recognising slavery as a grave crime against humanity and to advance meaningful reparatory justice.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, he reminded delegates that shared suffering can be transformed into hope through collective action. He urged nations to “speak truth to power” and commit to acknowledging the full scale of the atrocities inflicted on millions of Africans.
The address reinforces Ghana’s leadership in the global reparatory justice movement, positioning the country as a key advocate for historical accountability and equity.
As debates continue at the UN, Mahama’s message underscores a growing demand for justice that goes beyond remembrance to tangible action.
READ ALSO: Reparatory Justice: Ghana Urges Global Action at UN Over Transatlantic Slave Trade
