Shehu Sani praises Ghana slavery stance John Mahama, saying the president advanced global recognition of slavery as a grave crime at the UN

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has commended Ghana’s President John Mahama for what he described as a decisive and influential intervention on the global stage regarding the recognition of slavery as a crime against humanity, in a statement shared on Friday via his verified X account.

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The remarks come in the wake of Mahama’s recent address in New York, where he criticised the United States administration over what he termed the erosion of Black historical narratives.

Sani, a prominent public commentator, argued that President Mahama’s position reflects a renewed commitment to Pan-African ideals, noting that it aligns with the legacy of historic African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah.

He suggested that the Ghanaian leader’s stance has helped refocus international attention on the historical injustices of slavery, which he described as a defining factor in the global perception of the Black race.

In his commentary, Sani stated that Pan-African leaders have long emphasised the importance of remembering the full scope of historical atrocities, including the horrors associated with slavery, rather than allowing such narratives to fade into the background.

He further asserted that the recent United Nations categorisation of slavery as one of the gravest crimes against humanity marks a significant correction in the global historical record.

The former senator did not shy away from criticism of nations that opposed the resolution, suggesting that such positions raise questions about their historical accountability.

His remarks carried a firm tone, underscoring what he described as the moral responsibility of the international community to confront uncomfortable truths about the past.

President Mahama’s speech in New York earlier in the week had drawn attention after he criticised policies he believes contribute to the marginalisation or dilution of Black history.

His intervention has since sparked wider discussion among observers on historical recognition, reparative justice, and the role of global institutions in shaping collective memory.

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Sani’s endorsement adds a political voice from Nigeria to the ongoing debate, reinforcing growing calls across parts of Africa for stronger acknowledgment of slavery’s lasting impact and its implications for contemporary racial and historical discourse.