President John Dramani Mahama has criticised what he describes as global silence on Africa’s historical contributions to the development of Europe and the “New World,” calling for greater recognition as part of ongoing conversations on reparatory justice.

Speaking at a High-Level Special Event on Reparatory Justice at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, President Mahama said Africa’s role in shaping global economic and industrial growth has largely been overlooked.

However, he stressed that acknowledgement of Africa’s contributions remains lacking.

“When it comes to the contributions that Africa has played in enriching Europe and building the so-called New World, the silence is deafening,” he said.

President Mahama recounted the extensive labour and sacrifices made by enslaved Africans, emphasising their central role in building global economies.

“We have paved roads through mountains, we have put down railroad tracks. We have constructed buildings, laying brick after brick. We have cut sugarcane, picked cocoa and cotton. We descended into mines to unearth precious minerals and stones, and we have nursed babies,” he stated.

He added that these contributions came at a profound human cost.

“We have paid the price of admission with the blood of our ancestors. But what greets us at the door is silence. What we are met with is mythology,” he said.

The President’s remarks formed part of broader discussions on reparatory justice for the trafficking and enslavement of Africans, with global leaders and stakeholders examining pathways toward recognition and redress.