Summary
Ghana has proposed a resolution at the United Nations to recognize the transatlantic slave trade as a major crime against humanity. This proposal asks countries to consider apologizing for the slave trade and contributing to a fund for reparations. Ghana also seeks the return of cultural artifacts taken during the colonial period.
Key Facts
- Ghana's foreign minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, supports a UN resolution for slave trade reparations.
- The resolution calls the transatlantic slave trade "the gravest crime against humanity".
- Ghana suggests a reparations fund and asks countries to apologize for the slave trade.
- Some countries, like the UK, do not support paying reparations for historical actions.
- Advocates for the proposal, including the African Union, view it as a step toward justice and healing.
- Between 1500 and 1800, 12-15 million people were taken from Africa to the Americas as slaves.
- Ghana wants cultural artifacts taken during colonial times returned to their countries of origin.
- Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, calls the resolution "historic".
