Accra: President John Dramani Mahama led a historic gathering of global leaders at Christiansborg Castle in Osu, Accra, to commemorate Juneteenth, marking the first time the event has been observed outside the United States. The ceremony included heads of state, government officials, traditional leaders, members of the African diaspora, and international delegates.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event commemorated the end of slavery in the United States, celebrated annually on June 19th. Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Accra observance gathered dignitaries such as Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados and other African and Caribbean leaders. Activities included a reenactment of the transatlantic slave trade by the University of Ghana's School of Performing Arts and a wreath-laying ceremony. President Mahama and Prime Minister Mottley laid wreaths on behalf of their respective governments, paying homage to the resilience and spirit of African descendants worldwide.
Reflecting on the transatlantic slave trade's legacy, President Mahama honored the millions of Africans who suffered enslavement and displacement. He emphasized the need for reparatory justice and called for a more equitable global order. Ghana's commitment to the African diaspora was reaffirmed through initiatives for reconnection, such as pathways for residence and visa-free travel.
Prime Minister Mottley highlighted the historical significance of the event, recalling the 1661 Slave Code in Barbados and the ongoing need for healing and unity. She praised Ghana for leading efforts to ensure dignity and prosperity for Africans and their descendants.
The Accra Summit, hosted by President Mahama, aimed to address the global impacts of African enslavement. Leaders from over 80 countries, including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of Namibia and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal, attended the summit, reflecting a unified call for global recognition and action on racial justice and historical remembrance.