Ghana demands compensation for slavery in landmark UN vote

## Summary
Ghana demands compensation for slavery in landmark UN vote 15 minutes ago Share Save Wedaeli Chibelushi Share Save Universal Images Group via Getty Images Around 12-15 million Africans were captured during the slave trade Slavery was the "most horrendous crime that took place in the history of mankind", Ghana's foreign minister has told the BBC ahead of a landmark vote at the UN General Assembly. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's foreign minister, told the BBC's Newsday programme: "We are demanding compensation - and let us be clear, African leaders are not asking for money for themselves. "We want justice for the victims and causes to be supported, educational and endowment funds, skills training funds." Ablakwa also said that, with the resolution, Ghana was not ranking its pain above anyone else's, but simply documenting a historical fact. AFP via Getty Images Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the resolution is about getting justice for the victims of the slave trade Ghana, one of the main gateways for the trade, has long been a leading advocate for reparations. From Hollywood to the homeland: Why African countries are courting black American stars 'First English slave fort in Africa' uncovered Time has come for reparations dialogue, Commonwealth heads agree Confronting my family’s slave-owning past Getty Images/BBC Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

## Article Content
Ghana demands compensation for slavery in landmark UN vote
15 minutes ago
Share
Save
Wedaeli Chibelushi
Share
Save
Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Around 12-15 million Africans were captured during the slave trade
Slavery was the "most horrendous crime that took place in the history of mankind", Ghana's foreign minister has told the BBC ahead of a landmark vote at the UN General Assembly.
Member states are set to vote on a resolution - led by Ghana - to recognise the transatlantic slave trade as "the gravest crime against humanity".
The proposal urges UN member states to consider apologising for the slave trade and contributing to a reparations fund.
The resolution is likely to face resistance, as states like the UK have long rejected paying reparations, saying today's institutions cannot be held responsible for past wrongs.
But the proposal's advocates, which include the African Union, say it is a step towards healing and justice.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana's foreign minister, told the BBC's Newsday programme: "We are demanding compensation - and let us be clear, African leaders are not asking for money for themselves.
"We want justice for the victims and causes to be supported, educational and endowment funds, skills training funds."
Ablakwa also said that, with the resolution, Ghana was not ranking its pain above anyone else's, but simply documenting a historical fact.
Between 1500 and 1800, around 12-15 million people were captured in Africa and taken to the Americas where they were forced to work as slaves. It is estimated that over two million people died on the journey.
AFP via Getty Images
Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the resolution is about getting justice for the victims of the slave trade
Ghana, one of the main gateways for the trade, has long been a leading advocate for reparations.
The resolution also calls for cultural artefacts stolen during the colonial era to be returned to their countries of origin.
"We want a return of all those looted artefacts, which represent our heritage, our culture and our spiritual significance. All those artefacts looted for many centuries into the colonial era ought to be returned," Ablakwa said.
Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama has called the resolution "historic" and a "a safeguard against forgetting".
You may also be interested in:
What form could reparations for slavery take?
From Hollywood to the homeland: Why African countries are courting black American stars
'First English slave fort in Africa' uncovered
Time has come for reparations dialogue, Commonwealth heads agree
Confronting my family’s slave-owning past
Getty Images/BBC
Go to
BBCAfrica.com
for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter
@BBCAfrica
, on Facebook at
BBC Africa
or on Instagram at
bbcafrica
BBC Africa podcasts
Focus on Africa
This Is Africa
United Nations
Atlantic slave trade
Ghana
Africa

---

## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Ghana demands compensation for slavery in landmark UN vote 15 minutes ago Share Save Wedaeli Chibelushi Share Save Universal Images Group via Getty Images Around 12-15 million Africans were captured during the slave trade Slavery was the "most horrendous crime that took place in the history of mankind", Ghana's foreign minister has told the BBC ahead of a landmark vote at the UN General Assembly.

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- You may also be interested in: What form could reparations for slavery take?

### Expert Commentary
This article covers ghana, slave, africa topics. Notable strengths include discussion of ghana. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 466.