Mahama to lead Ghana’s delegation to UN Special Session on Monday, March 23, on Reparatory Justice

President John Dramani Mahama is set to travel to the United States on Monday, March 23, 2026, where he will lead Ghana’s delegation to a high-level special session on reparatory justice at the United Nations.

The visit will take the Ghanaian leader to New York City and Pennsylvania, and will center on advancing global discussions around reparatory justice, as well as honoring the memory of victims of the transatlantic slave trade.

On Tuesday, March 24, President Mahama is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a major event hosted at the UN Headquarters. The gathering, themed “Reparatory Justice for the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans and the Racialised Chattel Enslavement of Africans,” will bring together world leaders, policymakers, and scholars to examine the enduring impact of slavery and explore pathways toward justice and restitution.

As part of the commemorative activities, President Mahama will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the African Burial Ground National Monument. The site stands as a powerful memorial to enslaved Africans and serves as a reminder of the human cost of the transatlantic slave trade.

The following day, Wednesday, March 25, the President will address the United Nations General Assembly during events marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In his address, he is expected to outline Ghana’s position—endorsed by the African Union—which calls for the formal recognition of slavery as one of the gravest crimes against humanity and urges concrete international action toward reparatory justice.

Beyond the UN engagements, President Mahama’s itinerary includes a visit to Lincoln University, where he will deliver another keynote speech, likely focusing on Africa’s historical ties with the diaspora and the ongoing quest for justice and equity. He is also scheduled to interact with members of the Ghanaian diaspora during a community meeting at Temple University.

The trip underscores Ghana’s growing role as a leading voice in global advocacy for reparatory justice. It also reflects broader efforts by African nations and diaspora communities to secure acknowledgment, accountability, and meaningful redress for the lasting social and economic consequences of slavery and colonial exploitation.