Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has spoken out against recent actions in the United States that he believes are gradually removing important parts of Black history. Speaking in New York City on Tuesday, he warned that these changes could influence other countries and institutions around the world.
Mahama said that decisions made by U.S. leaders are not only affecting America but may also set an example for others to follow. He expressed concern that this could lead to a broader loss of historical truth, particularly regarding slavery and racism.
Since returning to power, U.S. President, Donald Trump, has introduced several measures aimed at changing how history is presented in public spaces. These include modifications to museums, monuments, and national parks. Some exhibits related to slavery have reportedly been removed, while certain Confederate statues have been restored. Civil rights groups argue that these actions could reverse years of progress toward presenting a more complete and honest historical narrative.
Mahama also claimed that, in some parts of the U.S., Black history lessons are being reduced or removed from school curricula. He said there are increasing efforts to limit teaching about slavery, segregation, and racism, and that books covering these topics are being banned more frequently.
In response, a spokesperson from the White House defended Trump’s record. The spokesperson stated that Trump has done more for Black Americans than any previous president and highlighted what they described as strong support from Black voters in the 2024 election. They added that he continues to work toward improving the country for all citizens.
Mahama made these remarks during a United Nations event focused on reparations for slavery. He is currently in New York to present a new proposal at the U.N. General Assembly. The proposal aims to formally recognize the transatlantic slave trade as one of the worst crimes in human history and to encourage discussions on reparations.
The draft plan calls on countries to consider steps such as issuing formal apologies, returning stolen cultural artifacts, providing financial compensation, and ensuring that such injustices are never repeated. The proposal has gained support from African and Caribbean nations, as well as countries like Brazil.
However, some Western countries, including the United States and members of the European Union, have indicated that they do not support the plan. Critics argue that present-day governments should not be held responsible for actions that took place in the past.
