The international stature of President John Dramani Mahama continues to grow, as his voice on key global issues gains renewed attention at the United Nations General Assembly. His advocacy for recognizing the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as the gravest crime ever committed against humanity—alongside calls for reparatory justice—has received significant global support.
Mr. Daniel Christian Dugan, a former Deputy Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs and Deputy Minister of Fisheries under the administration of John Agyekum Kufuor, has described President Mahama as the “Champion of Africa.” He said this on Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM and hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
According to him, Mahama is advancing a vision that even Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s founding leader, was unable to fully realise.
He noted that the late Nkrumah’s call for African unity is now being pursued through Mahama’s leadership on reparatory justice. In his view, this initiative represents a new path toward fulfilling that long-standing vision.
Mr. Dugan, however, cautioned that the issue of reparations is deeply tied to economic considerations, which may explain why some countries have been reluctant to support the proposal put forward by President Mahama.
He also pointed out that while the President’s call has focused on the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, other forms of slavery—such as the Trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean slave trades—also inflicted profound injustice on humanity and deserve recognition.
In a related development, President Mahama has described the United Nations’ approval of a motion on slavery reparations as a significant milestone, while cautioning that it marks only the beginning of a broader struggle for justice.
His remarks followed the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a motion he tabled, seeking formal recognition of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade as the gravest crime ever committed against humanity, alongside calls for reparatory justice.
Speaking after the General Assembly session on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, President Mahama emphasized that the historic outcome must lead to sustained global action.
“This is not the end. This is the beginning. What we’ve achieved today creates a platform for the struggle for reparative justice,” he stated.
He urged stakeholders not to relent following the diplomatic success, stressing the need to build momentum toward concrete outcomes, including reparations, formal apologies, and broader justice measures.
“We must take this success and begin to work so that those who denied our ancestors their humanity—those who denied our ancestors their dignity—can accept the truth of what happened,” he said.
President Mahama also pushed back against attempts to downplay or rewrite the history of slavery, insisting that the UN’s decision affirms its severity.
“Today, we have accepted that this was a grave crime against humanity—the gravest indeed,” he added.
The President further called for sustained unity among African nations and the global African diaspora, noting that the achievement was a collective victory rather than a national one.
“This victory is not for Ghana. We did it for the whole of Africa and all people of African descent. If we maintain this coalition, we will take the next steps together,” he said.
He expressed confidence that continued collaboration would ultimately lead to the restoration of the dignity and humanity of enslaved ancestors.
“Today’s victory ensures that we do not forget—and will never forget. As long as this resolution stands, our ancestors will never, ever be forgotten,” he concluded.