International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

On this solemn occasion, we join the global community in commemorating the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition commemorating the 1791 uprising on the island of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) that paved the way for the abolition of the slave trade. This day serves as a powerful reminder of the millions of lives devastated by the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade—one of history’s most inhumane and enduring injustices.  

This is highly relevant for Ghana, given its history as a central point of the trans-Atlantic trade in enslaved people and its existing UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Forts, Castles, and related memory sites).

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, over 27 million Africans were forcibly taken from their homes. Only 7.4 million survived the brutal voyage. These individuals were objectified, exploited, and denied their basic human rights. Families were torn apart, cultures disrupted, and generations scarred.

The legacy of slavery continues to shape our world today. Though abolished, its consequences persist in the form of systemic racism, social exclusion, and inequality. People of African descent still face discrimination and marginalization, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and action.

"Acknowledge the past. Repair the present. Build a future of dignity and justice,” as a broader UN theme, calls on us to reflect deeply and act decisively. It is a call to honour the resilience of those who endured, to confront the injustices of the past, and to build a future rooted in dignity, equality, and justice.

As UNESCO reminds us, this Day offers an opportunity to examine the historical causes and consequences of the slave trade and its impact across continents and encouraging educational events and activities. It is also a moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to eradicating all forms of racism and discrimination.

Let us remember the words of W.E.B. Du Bois: “Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season.”

Let us act now! To remember, to rise, and to reimagine a world that is fairer and more just for all.