The Government of the Republic of Ghana cordially appreciates His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s historic declaration in which he acknowledged and expressed regret for the role that the Holy See played in legitimising and maintaining the transatlantic slave trade and the enslavement of Africans.
The Pope’s declaration is an act of moral courage and a significant contribution to the ongoing global search for justice, human dignity, and historical truth.
Ghana acknowledges His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s enduring dedication to human dignity, service, and compassion.
He has promoted social justice, solidarity with the weak, intercommunal communication, and moral responsibility in addressing the issues of our evolving world throughout his career.
Millions of Africans and people of African origin suffered unspeakable agony and dehumanisation for five centuries as a result of racialised chattel enslavement systems, which still have an impact on countries and communities today.
Honest acknowledgement of this sad history is still a necessary step toward healing, reconciliation, and a more just future.
Ghana finds this acknowledgement to be especially meaningful at a time when the international community is delving deeper into the historical ramifications of slavery and colonisation.
It underlines the rising global recognition that facing historical injustices necessitates truth-telling and moral responsibility as critical underpinnings for justice and reconciliation.
The approval of the landmark Resolution A/RES/80/250 by the United Nations General Assembly, which declared trafficking in enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans to be the gravest crime against humanity, represented a watershed moment in this collective struggle.
The Resolution reaffirmed the necessity of maintaining worldwide discourse on justice, equality, and dignity for Africans and persons of African origin while also protecting historical memory.
Ghana observes that questions over historical allusions to the Church’s participation, such as references to Papal Bulls and related historical issues pertaining to the transatlantic slave trade, sparked lengthy discussions during the Resolution’s talks.
Against this backdrop. His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s apology is especially noteworthy and encouraging because it shows a readiness to face challenging historical facts in the name of justice, understanding, and peace.
With the majority of forts and castles along its coast serving as permanent reminders of one of humanity’s worst periods, this country is closely linked to the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
Ghana is still dedicated to advancing historical justice initiatives through collaboration with international partners, religious communities, civil society, and peoples of conscience worldwide. honouring and re-establishing human dignity.
In this regard, Ghana is excited to welcome the international community to Accra from June 17–19, 2026, for the High-Level Consultative Conference on the next steps following the adoption of the Resolution, which aims to sustain global engagement on historical justice, remembrance, and human dignity. The conference will be called by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.
Additionally, we hope and pray that states that did not support the resolution will soon align with its goals and work with Ghana and the international community to advance its effective implementation.
His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama thanks His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for taking this important step and looks forward to carrying on the worldwide effort to advance healing, truth, and a common commitment to mankind.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com