Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called off a planned surprise welcome by staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following his role in championing the recently adopted United Nations resolution declaring the Transatlantic Slave Trade the gravest crime against humanity.
According to the Minister, the landmark diplomatic achievement should not be treated as a personal accomplishment, stressing that significant work remains in the global push for reparatory justice.
He explained that although surprise welcomes are a longstanding tradition within the Ministry to mark major diplomatic successes, he would have firmly opposed the arrangement had he been consulted before plans were made to receive him at the Ministry.
“I have expressed my appreciation to management for their thoughtful gesture and instructed that all such plans to offer me a surprise welcome at the airport be cancelled immediately. I would have strongly opposed the idea if I had been consulted. This is not a personal victory, and besides, there is more work ahead of us,” he stated.
The decision follows the historic adoption by the United Nations General Assembly on March 25 of a resolution declaring the Transatlantic Slave Trade the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution, which secured 123 votes from member states, represents a major diplomatic milestone in ongoing global efforts to acknowledge the historical injustices of slavery and advance the call for reparatory justice for affected nations and peoples.
The declaration is expected to strengthen advocacy for reparations, reinforce international recognition of the long-term socio-economic consequences of slavery, and provide renewed momentum for initiatives such as the Caribbean Community 10-Point Reparatory Justice Plan.
Despite cancelling the surprise reception, Mr. Ablakwa expressed appreciation to staff of the Ministry for their collective contribution toward what he described as the March 25 diplomatic milestone, noting that the achievement sought justice for victims of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and their descendants.
However, the Minister’s public announcement has drawn mixed reactions, particularly on social media, where some commentators argued that the matter could have been handled internally rather than publicly. Some critics described the statement as unnecessary.
“Great move, but my concern is, you could have left it at the Foreign Ministry level without coming here with it. We were not aware and this was a managerial decision, so communicate with them and keep it at that. Enough of the social media announcements. My opinion though,” one commenter wrote.
Meanwhile, John Dramani Mahama upon arrival commended Mr. Ablakwa for his extensive diplomatic efforts, particularly the long-haul travels undertaken to canvass support for the resolution.
President Mahama noted that while he provided strategic guidance, the Foreign Minister, together with Victor Emmanuel Smith, carried out the diplomatic groundwork that helped secure the overwhelming support for the resolution.
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