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Africa Will Not Forget Being Called ‘Sh*tholes’: President Mahama’s Call for Justice and Reparations

Introduction

In a powerful address delivered at the Diaspora Summit 2025 on December 19, former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama issued a stark reminder to the international community: Africa and its people will not forget derogatory language used against them. Addressing a crowd of global leaders and diaspora representatives, Mahama argued that the continent has reached a critical juncture in its history where silence is no longer an option. He explicitly linked the use of racist terminology—such as “sh*tholes,” “garbage,” and “filth”—to broader systemic issues, including the stripping of citizenship from people of African descent and the ongoing struggle for reparative justice.

This article analyzes President Mahama’s speech, exploring the historical context of the “sh*thole” controversy, the specific demands for reparations, and the psychological impact of colonial trauma. By examining these key points, we gain a deeper understanding of the current geopolitical stance of Africa regarding racial equity and historical redress.

Key Points

Background

The “Sh*thole” Controversy

The context of President Mahama’s remarks stems from a controversy that erupted in January 2018. During an Oval Office meeting regarding immigration, former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly referred to African nations, Haiti, and El Salvador as “sh*thole countries.” The comment suggested a preference for immigrants from countries like Norway.

The remark triggered immediate global condemnation. African Union nations demanded an apology, and the African Group of United Nations ambassadors issued a statement expressing outrage. The term was widely viewed not merely as a gaffe, but as a reflection of deep-seated xenophobia and racism. President Mahama’s reference to “garbage” and “filth” serves as a broader umbrella for this category of language, which dehumanizes entire populations and reduces complex nations to waste products.

The Diaspora Summit 2025

President Mahama delivered these remarks at the Diaspora Summit 2025 in Accra, Ghana. This summit serves as a bridge between the continent and the African diaspora, focusing on economic integration, cultural heritage, and political solidarity. By choosing this platform, Mahama signaled that the relationship between Africa and the diaspora is rooted in a shared history of struggle and a unified vision for the future.

Analysis

The Link Between Rhetoric and Policy

President Mahama’s analysis posits that derogatory language is not harmless; it is a precursor to policy. He argued that the “racist dog whistles” and “overtly discriminatory” statements heard daily are the ideological fuel for concrete actions against people of African descent. One specific example cited was the stripping of citizenship from people of African descent in certain nations.

When leaders describe nations as “sh*tholes,” they devalue the lives of their citizens. This devaluation, Mahama suggests, makes it politically palatable to enact harsh immigration policies, deny visas, or strip rights from diaspora communities. Therefore, remembering these insults is a form of vigilance—a way to hold leaders accountable for the consequences of their words.

The Demand for Reparative Justice

The core of Mahama’s speech moves beyond rhetoric to the tangible economic and social repair required to heal the continent. He argued that symbolic apologies are insufficient. True reparative justice must address the material losses incurred through centuries of exploitation.

Specifically, Mahama outlined a multi-faceted approach to reparations:

1. Debt Cancellation: He posits that the external debt burden of many African nations is illegitimate, partly because it is a result of colonial economic structures.
2. Financial Repayment: Direct economic compensation for the unpaid labor that built the wealth of the Americas and Europe.
3. Restitution of Artifacts: The return of cultural heritage looted during colonial expeditions, which is currently a major topic in European museums.
4. Institutional Reform: Changing the multinational economic systems that keep African economies in a subordinate position.

The Science of Intergenerational Trauma

Adding a biological dimension to his argument, President Mahama referenced medical research on trauma. He noted that the suffering endured during slavery, colonialism, and apartheid has left a genetic scar. Emerging science in epigenetics suggests that severe trauma can alter gene expression and be passed down to offspring.

By citing this, Mahama argues that the “loss” Africa has suffered is not just historical but ongoing. The “gathered trauma of the past and present” contributes to current health disparities and social challenges. This reframes the conversation from “getting over the past” to “treating a continuing medical condition” caused by historical injustice.

Practical Advice

How to Engage with the Reparations Movement

For individuals and organizations looking to support the principles outlined by President Mahama, here are actionable steps:

• Educate Yourself on History: Move beyond standard history books. Read works by scholars who detail the economic extraction of Africa. Understanding the specifics of the transatlantic slave trade and colonial resource theft is essential to understanding the current demand for debt cancellation.
• Support the Restitution of Artifacts: If you live in a country with major museums, advocate for the repatriation of African artifacts. This is a tangible form of reparations that restores cultural identity.
• Amplify African Voices: Use social media and professional platforms to amplify African leaders and thinkers who are discussing these issues. The “future is African,” as Mahama stated, and supporting African narratives is a way to participate in that future.
• Challenge Derogatory Language: In your daily life, challenge language that dehumanizes immigrants or citizens of developing nations. Mahama’s speech suggests that words have the power to enable violence; therefore, policing language is a form of protection.

FAQ

Conclusion

President John Mahama’s address at the Diaspora Summit 2025 serves as a definitive statement on the state of Africa-Europe and Africa-America relations. He has made it clear that the era of silent acceptance of insults and systemic inequality is over. By connecting derogatory language to the tangible need for reparations and institutional reform, Mahama has provided a roadmap for the future of African diplomacy.

The speech underscores a shift toward “reparative justice” that is both material and psychological. As the world moves forward, the message from Accra is unambiguous: the continent will not forget the insults of the past, nor will it rest until the debts of history are paid in full.

Sources

• Life Pulse Daily: Report on the Diaspora Summit 2025 and President Mahama’s speech (Published: December 25, 2025).
• United Nations General Assembly Records: Statements regarding the recognition of the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity.
• The New York Times (2018): Coverage of the “sh*thole countries” controversy and the reaction from the African Union.
• Nature Human Behaviour: Studies on intergenerational trauma and epigenetics.