The vote on Ghana’s resolution for the slave trade to be recognised as a crime against humanity came up in the British Parliament on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

During the proceedings in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, a Labour Member of Parliament, raised concerns about the British government voting against the resolution.

She pointed out that it would be completely wrong for the British government to vote against the resolution, which is being championed by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama.

“The Ghanaian government’s resolution, declaring the transatlantic slave trade a crime against humanity, backed by the African Union, CARICOM, and a growing global coalition, will be debated. Given our nation's central role in the trafficking and enslavement of African peoples, a vote against would be a betrayal of every life it consumed,” she said.

Ribeiro-Addy noted that because the issue of slavery had not been debated by the House, it is likely that the government might take a position that does not reflect the will of the British people.

“This House has never debated this. How can we be certain that our UN vote reflects the will of this Parliament and, more importantly, the will of this country? Madam Deputy Speaker, how can we ensure decisions of this magnitude, taken in our name, receive the democratic consideration they deserve before a vote is cast?” she said.

The Second Deputy Speaker of the UK House of Commons, Caroline Nokes, who was presiding over the sitting, commended the Labour MP for the issue she raised.

She, however, noted that the decision on how the UK would vote on the resolution was the sole prerogative of the executive arm of government.

“Can I thank the Honourable Lady for her point of order? As she will know, the government conducts diplomatic relations in the United Nations under the Crown prerogative. Nevertheless, she has placed her concerns on the record, and the front bench will have heard them,” the Deputy Speaker said.

The Deputy Speaker added that if Ribeiro-Addy wants the issue debated by the House, she should use the appropriate procedure.

“Of course, as this House has not debated the issue, she might do well to apply for a backbench business debate, or alternatively to raise it in Westminster Hall, or indeed with the Leader of the House at business questions,” she added.

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Watch a video of the remarks below:

Tomorrow, the United Nations will vote on Ghana's motion to recognise the Transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity.

Given Britain's central role in this crime, a vote against would be a betrayal of every life consumed by enslavement and colonialism. pic.twitter.com/JVm0ChH6fI

— Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP (@BellRibeiroAddy) March 24, 2026