Ghana Hails French Vote and Papal Apology as Milestones for Reparatory Justice

The Government of Ghana has welcomed recent developments in France and at the Vatican, saying they show the impact of its UN resolution on the transatlantic slave trade.

In a statement on May 28, 2026, Foreign Minister Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa said Ghana is proud of the progress being made on reparatory justice following the UN resolution adopted on March 25, 2026. The resolution, championed by President John Mahama, declared the transatlantic enslavement the gravest crime against humanity and was adopted by 123 UN member states.

Ablakwa pointed to two developments this week. Lawmakers in France voted unanimously, 254-0, to repeal the Code Noir, the 1685 slave laws enacted under King Louis XIV that classified Africans as property. Pope Leo XIV also issued an apology for the Catholic Church’s role in slavery.

“The Government of Ghana has already formally welcomed the Pope’s apology,” Ablakwa said.

He described the outcomes as monumental and said they demonstrate the significance of the UN resolution.

“Those who thought the landmark Ghana-led resolution was a mere academic exercise must be revising their position,” he said.

Ghana said it looks ahead to the Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice, scheduled for June 17-19, 2026, in Accra. The conference will be convened by President Mahama to build on recent gains and develop a common strategy.

Ablakwa expressed confidence that comprehensive reparatory justice will be achieved in the current generation.

“I remain absolutely confident that comprehensive reparatory justice shall be achieved in our lifetime,” he said. “Victory shall be ours!”