Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger unity between Africa and the Caribbean in the pursuit of reparatory justice, stressing that historical truth, accountability and reconciliation remain critical to building a fairer world.
President Mahama made the call on Tuesday when he addressed a joint sitting of Jamaica’s House of Representatives and Senate in Kingston as part of his state visit to the Caribbean nation.
The Ghanaian leader was received into the Chamber by the Speaker of the Jamaica House of Representatives, Mrs Juliet Holness, and the President of the Senate of Jamaica, Mr Thomas Tavares-Finson. Also present was Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Michael Holness.
The address coincided with Jamaica’s Emancipation Day observance and the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
President Mahama said Ghana joined Jamaica in celebrating the remarkable journey of a proud people whose courage, creativity and resilience continue to inspire Africa, the Caribbean and the global African diaspora.
He recalled Ghana’s historic relationship with Jamaica, noting that Ghana was among the first countries to recognise Jamaica after it gained independence in 1962.
“Emancipation Day and Independence Day are not simply national celebrations; they are symbols of humanity’s determination to overcome oppression and reclaim dignity,” President Mahama said.
He described Jamaica’s story as deeply connected to Africa’s history, tracing its roots to the great civilizations that flourished on the continent, including the Empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhai, as well as the Ashanti, Benin, Great Zimbabwe, Buganda and other historic kingdoms.
According to President Mahama, millions of Africans were taken across the Atlantic through the transatlantic slave trade, enduring unimaginable suffering, but they preserved their cultures, traditions, faith and humanity despite attempts to erase their identity.
He said the resilience of African people, from Maroon communities in Jamaica to liberation movements across Africa, demonstrated the enduring spirit of resistance that eventually led to the emergence of independent nations.
“Today we honour the enslaved men and women whose labour enriched empires while their humanity was denied them. We honour those who resisted injustice and those who fought for emancipation, self-determination and national liberation,” he said.
President Mahama emphasised that freedom was never achieved without sacrifice, adding that it must be protected through vigilance, unity and commitment.
He urged Africa and the Caribbean to confront their shared history with honesty and courage, arguing that while history cannot be changed, acknowledging historical truths provides the foundation for reconciliation, justice and mutual respect.
The President referenced the recent United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and the racialised enslavement of Africans as among the gravest crimes against humanity.
He said the effects of slavery and colonial exploitation continued to influence patterns of inequality and exclusion around the world, making the global conversation on reparatory justice necessary.
President Mahama stressed that the call for reparatory justice was not driven by resentment or hostility but by a desire for truth, accountability, healing and the creation of a more equitable global system.
“Our pursuit of reparatory justice is inspired by our commitment to the truth, to accountability, to reconciliation and to healing,” he said.
He expressed Ghana’s appreciation to the Government and people of Jamaica for their support for Ghana’s reparatory justice initiative at the United Nations and their contribution to discussions at the Accra Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice.
President Mahama also acknowledged Jamaica’s long-standing leadership on the issue and praised the country’s commitment to ensuring that the descendants of those affected by slavery are not forgotten or denied a voice in shaping a fairer future.
“Our advocacy is ultimately about hope — hope that future generations will inherit a world in which historical truth is acknowledged, human dignity is upheld and justice becomes the foundation for lasting reconciliation,” he said.
The Ghanaian President further reiterated his support for Jamaica’s efforts, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ planned petition to King Charles III of the United Kingdom on the issue of slavery.
He, however, cautioned that while the injustices of history must never be forgotten, they should not prevent people of African descent from embracing their achievements and shaping the future.
President Mahama said the African story was not only one of suffering but also one of resilience, excellence and achievement, highlighting Africa’s contributions to civilisation, science, technology, culture and global leadership.
He reaffirmed that Ghana and Jamaica would continue to work together to promote dignity, justice and unity among people of African descent across the world.
