In a major diplomatic boost for Africa’s reparations movement, Ghana’s Foreign Minister has announced that the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has offered its unanimous support for a draft United Nations resolution that seeks to formally recognize the Transatlantic Slave Trade as the gravest crime against humanity.

The announcement was made by Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, following a high-level engagement with members of the caucus in New York. The meeting comes just days before the resolution is formally tabled before the United Nations General Assembly on March 25, 2026.

Describing the endorsement as a significant injection of momentum, Ablakwa hailed the backing from the group widely regarded as the “Conscience of Congress.”

“Absolutely delighted to disclose that the Congressional Black Caucus has declared 100 per cent support for Ghana’s UN draft resolution,” Ablakwa stated. “This endorsement from the Conscience of Congress is most cherished and deeply appreciated. We clearly have added momentum to our global campaign for reparatory justice.”

The resolution, titled “Declaration of the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and Racialised Chattel Enslavement of Africans as the Gravest Crime Against Humanity,” represents the culmination of longstanding calls for reparatory justice.

Historical estimates indicate that more than 12 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic, with approximately 2 million perishing during the brutal middle passage.

According to the minister, the engagement with the CBC—led by Chair Yvette D. Clarke—also resulted in an agreement for structured collaboration between Ghana, the African Union, and the caucus to advance coordinated efforts toward reparative and restitutionary justice.

The initiative is being championed by Ghana as the African Union’s lead on reparations. It seeks not only formal recognition of the historical injustice but also aims to preserve historical truth as a foundation for justice, reconciliation, and meaningful global engagement on accountability.

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted in a statement that the transatlantic slave trade was marked by systemic brutality and enduring consequences that continue to shape global socio-economic inequalities and structural injustices.

The resolution is being pursued in collaboration with the African Union, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and other stakeholders, with the goal of consideration and adoption by the General Assembly on March 25. The Ministry also acknowledged the contributions of UNESCO, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), legal experts, scholars, activists, and Ghana’s diplomatic missions in Addis Ababa, Geneva, and New York.

Ablakwa expressed deep appreciation to Clarke and other CBC members for what he described as their invaluable solidarity.

Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has confirmed that every Ghanaian national who requested evacuation from Israel amid the escalating Middle East conflict has now safely arrived in Accra, marking a successful conclusion to the government’s repatriation effort for citizens in the high-risk zone.

In a statement issued late March 20, 2026, the minister announced that the evacuees landed in Ghana just hours earlier. A small consular team remains in Israel to provide essential services to any nationals who choose to stay.

“I convey our appreciation to Israeli and Egyptian authorities for their cooperation,” Ablakwa said. “We warmly welcome our compatriots who arrived in Ghana a few hours ago. The Mahama administration will continue with safe evacuation efforts as we prioritise the welfare of all Ghanaians.”

The operation forms part of Ghana’s broader precautionary measures since the conflict intensified in late February 2026. Earlier this month, the government evacuated all staff from its embassy in Tehran and closed the mission indefinitely, relocating diplomats to Turkey.

Ghana’s embassy in Doha has also urged nationals in Qatar to reconfirm their interest in a potential one-way evacuation exercise by March 17, citing heightened regional security concerns.

The repatriation effort comes against the backdrop of sustained Iranian missile and drone barrages targeting Tel Aviv and central Israel, including strikes using cluster munitions that have penetrated air defence systems. Recent attacks have caused civilian casualties, damaged residential buildings, and heightened fears of wider escalation following the targeted killing of senior Iranian official Ali Larijani in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.

While Ghanaian nationals in Israel were not reported injured, the government acted swiftly to mitigate risks to its citizens amid the volatile situation.

The crisis has already triggered significant global economic ripple effects, including disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, fertilizer shipments critical for agriculture, and petroleum-based raw materials, pushing up energy and food prices worldwide.

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