The Chief of Staff,Chief Julius Debrah, has drawn a powerful historical parallel between President John Dramani Mahama and Ghana’s founding leader,Dr Kwame Nkrumah, praising the President for what he described as courageous and visionary leadership on the global stage.
Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd at the Kotoka International Airport on Sunday evening, Hon. Debrah welcomed President Mahama back from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he led a landmark diplomatic effort on behalf of Africa.
“Several years ago, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah led Africa’s liberation struggle and made Ghana proud as the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence,” Hon. Debrah told the jubilant gathering. “Today, when Africa sought bold, courageous, and wise leadership on the global stage, they found it in our President.”
The President’s return was marked by a grand reception attended by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, as well as traditional and religious leaders. Hundreds of supporters thronged the airport, waving national flags and chanting in celebration of what many described as a defining moment for Ghana’s international diplomacy.
At the centre of the commendation was President Mahama’s role in spearheading a historic resolution at the UN General Assembly, which formally recognised the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity.” Acting in his capacity as the African Union Champion for Reparations, the President rallied significant global support for the motion.
The resolution garnered backing from 123 countries, underscoring a growing international consensus on the need to confront the enduring legacy of slavery. However, three countries—the United States, Israel, and Argentina—voted against it, while 52 others, including members of the European Union and the United Kingdom, abstained.
Hon. Debrah described the achievement as a watershed moment in Ghana’s diplomatic history and a bold step toward justice for Africa and the African diaspora.
“Mr. President, your forebears would be proud of you,” he declared.
“You have demonstrated courage and conviction in leading this charge at the United Nations, ensuring that the painful history of slavery is acknowledged at the highest global level and that the call for reparations is heard.”
He further eulogised the President, invoking a personal note by referencing his late father, stating that he would be immensely proud of his son’s leadership and commitment to championing a cause of such global significance.
Analysts say the development positions Ghana once again at the forefront of Pan-African advocacy, echoing the legacy of Dr. Nkrumah, whose vision of African unity and dignity continues to shape the continent’s political and moral discourse.
The reception at the airport reflected a nation united in pride, as citizens from all walks of life gathered to honour what is increasingly being seen as a defining diplomatic milestone.
For many, President Mahama’s efforts signal not only Ghana’s renewed influence on the world stage but also a rekindling of the bold leadership ethos that characterised the country’s early post-independence years.
As Ghana celebrates this achievement, the broader conversation on reparations and historical justice is expected to gain further momentum, with the country playing a leading role in shaping the global agenda.
