The People’s National Party (PNP) warmly welcomes the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, and his diplomatic delegation to Jamaica.

The PNP extends its highest regards to President Mahama for his distinguished leadership in Ghana, across the African continent and within the global African diaspora, and commends him for his leadership as the African Union Champion on Reparation.

President Mahama’s visit comes at a particularly meaningful time, as Jamaica commemorates Emancipation and Independence. It is an occasion to honour our shared history, strengthen the bonds between Africa and the Caribbean, and renew our collective commitment to the pursuit of reparatory justice. It also provides an important opportunity to reflect on Jamaica’s contribution to one of the most significant advances in the international push for reparatory justice in recent history.

On March 25, 2026, the United Nations adopted a landmark resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel slavery as among the gravest crimes against humanity. The resolution was introduced by Ghana on behalf of the African Group and co-sponsored by 54 African Member States, together with Barbados, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Belarus, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.

Although Jamaica voted in favour of the resolution, it did not publicly co-sponsor it. This is more than a procedural matter; it concerns Jamaica’s standing and leadership in the global reparation movement. As the first Caribbean country to establish a National Council on Reparation, and as a nation that has consistently championed reparatory justice through CARICOM and other international forums, Jamaicans deserve a clear understanding of why Jamaica did not publicly co-sponsor this landmark resolution.

The significance of this moment extends beyond the resolution itself. In June 2026, the High-Level Consultative Conference established three operational panels to advance implementation, underscoring that the international reparation agenda has entered a new phase of coordinated global action.

The PNP notes that, during the Post-Cabinet Press Briefing on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that facts are the strongest antidote to misinformation. We agree. Transparency strengthens, rather than weakens, Jamaica’s international standing. Providing a full account of Jamaica’s role in this historic initiative would reinforce confidence in the country’s leadership and demonstrate the openness and accountability that should accompany it.

Accordingly, the PNP is calling on the Government of Jamaica to provide the Jamaican people with clear answers to the following:

1. What was Jamaica’s level of participation in the discussions, consultations and negotiations leading to the adoption of the United Nations resolution on March 25, 2026?
2. Was any request made, formally or informally, to the Government of Jamaica, the Prime Minister, any Government ministry or the National Council on Reparation seeking Jamaica’s sponsorship or co-sponsorship of the resolution before the vote?
3. If such a request was made, what considerations informed Jamaica’s decision not to publicly co-sponsor the resolution?

PNP Chairperson, Dr Angela Brown Burke, is calling on the Government to use the occasion of President Mahama’s visit to provide the Jamaican people with a comprehensive account of Jamaica’s role in this historic international initiative.