Wednesday, March 25, 2026, will now be a Remembrance Day, the day when the UN General Assembly officially adopted Resolution (A/80/L.48), a bold move by Ghana's President that has paid off 33 years after earlier attempts—the 1993 Abuja Proclamation and the 2001 Durban Conference.

"I cannot think of a better way to honour our forebears on the day of remembrance than to have the majority of the world's countries affirm that the trafficking and enslavement of nearly 13 million human beings is, indeed, the gravest crime against humanity," said President John Dramani Mahama.

It was an overwhelming endorsement: 123 in favor, 3 against (United States, Israel, and Argentina), and 52 abstentions.

In his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion for Reparations and Advancing Justice, President Mahama spearheaded this diplomatic initiative and the push for reparative justice following an open pledge at the 80th UN General Assembly meetings last year.

The resolution seeks to pursue justice for the abuse, humiliation, and torture under a 400-year systematic forced migration of over 12 million Black people with their limbs chained and shackled onto cargo ships, primarily by European nations—notably Portugal, Britain, France, and Spain—to the Americas between the 15th and 19th centuries.

Ghana's President chalked this feat through months of consultations among African states, scholars, and legal experts, and intense lobbying for a global coalition grounded in moral and historical truth.

The resolution, among other things, seeks the following:

• Declaration that trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialized chattel enslavement was a crime against humanity.
• The need for discussions on reparations, including official apologies and restorative measures.
• The return of stolen African cultural heritage, including artworks, national archives, and historical records.
• The need for the global community to address the persistent inequalities and economic gaps that are direct legacies of the slave trade. This call includes addressing the lasting economic impact of colonialism and slavery, such as debt cancellation and investment in critical infrastructure.

It was all full of smiles and pride as jubilant Ghanaians waved miniature flags amid brass band music and dancing as they spotted President Mahama stepping off the plane in Accra. Present at the Jubilee Lounge of the Accra International Airport on his safe return were the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Senior government officials, Service Commanders, and traditional and religious leaders.

Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang praised him for his diplomatic leadership and perseverance.

"Your Excellency, you have helped to secure a more precise global position on a difficult history. Congratulations on your perseverance. With respect and pride, Your Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, we welcome you back home. Akwaaba."

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah lauded his courageous leadership, comparing it to Kwame Nkrumah's legacy, stating that the nation is proud of his work in securing international support for the resolution.

He singled out the African Union, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the 123 countries that voted in favour of the Resolution. "I gave the guidance, but they did the legwork."

"This is a proud moment for Ghana. It is a proud moment for Africa. It is a proud moment for people of African descent wherever they are in the world," President Mahama stated. "This is not the end. This is the beginning. It serves as a mechanism to rectify historical wrongs. This gives us a platform to continue the struggle for reparatory justice."