Historian and Lecturer at the University of Namibia Shampapi Shiremo said Ghana must be applauded for taking up the responsibility of leading a resolution at the United Nations Assembly declaring the trans-Atlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity.

The recognition by the United Nations, Shiremo added, paves the way for Africans who were victims in such a crime to foster further dialogue.

"This crime against humanity that left a huge indelible and negative mark on the African continent and its people is finally recognised as such by the United Nations. This is after so many years of resistance from the countries that perpetrated such a crime against the African people. The Republic of Ghana must be applauded for taking such a responsibility to move that such a crime must be recognised by the United Nations, and indeed it is good news that the United Nations has agreed to such a request. This recognition paves the way for Africans who were victims in such a crime to initiate talks about possible apologies from the perpetrators, reparations and even reconciliation. This is because the impact of the transatlantic slave trade is felt even today despite it having taken place many centuries ago, and Africa has not fully recovered from such a distraction of its societal fabrics and from its dehumanisation and the trampling of its human rights."