Mahama Calls for Recognition of Africa’s Role in Global Development
President urges global recognition of Africa’s sacrifices in shaping modern economies
- John Dramani Mahama criticizes global silence on Africa’s historical contributions.
- Emphasizes enslaved Africans’ role in building economies in Europe and the Americas.
- Calls for recognition as part of reparatory justice discussions at the United Nations.
President John Dramani Mahama has criticized what he describes as the global silence surrounding Africa’s historical contributions to the development of Europe and the “New World,” urging greater acknowledgment in ongoing discussions on reparatory justice.
Speaking at a high-level event on reparations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, Mahama stressed that Africa played a central role in shaping global economic and industrial progress—yet continues to receive little recognition.
He highlighted the immense labor and sacrifices of enslaved Africans, noting their critical contributions to infrastructure, agriculture, and industry across continents. According to him, these efforts were instrumental in building wealth and driving development in Europe and the Americas.
Mahama painted a vivid picture of the hardships endured, from constructing roads and railways to working on plantations and in mines, as well as providing domestic care. He emphasized that these contributions came at an enormous human cost.
Reflecting on this legacy, he stated that Africa “paid the price” through the suffering and blood of its ancestors, yet continues to be met with silence and distorted narratives instead of acknowledgment.
The President’s remarks formed part of broader global discussions on reparatory justice, as leaders and stakeholders explore ways to address the historical injustices of slavery and the transatlantic trade, including recognition, accountability, and potential redress.
