"Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama announced on Friday that the African nation will submit a motion to the United Nations declaring slavery and the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity, as the country marked its 69th Independence Anniversary. Footage filmed on Friday shows the president inspecting a guard of honour, lighting the Perpetual Flame in tribute to Ghana's national heroes, and watching cultural performances marking the historic occasion. Speaking during a national address at Jubilee House in Accra, Mahama said the anniversary was not only a celebration but a reminder of the nation's responsibility to pursue prosperity and historical justice. "Today, Ghana is working with partners across Africa and the diaspora to seek historical justice. Later this month, Ghana will submit a motion to the United Nations declaring slavery and the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity," Mahama said. UK's official line remains that it is open to discussing the legacy of slavery, but not to paying reparations. At the Commonwealth summit in 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected financial compensation, while UK officials said London supports 'respectful' and 'honest' dialogue on historical injustice rather than payments. He added that Ghana, the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence, aims once again to lead an international push for dignity and restoration for people of African descent. Mahama recalled the moment when Kwame Nkrumah declared the country's independence in 1957. "Sixty-nine years ago, Doctor Kwame Nkrumah proclaimed to the world that at long last, the battle is ended and that Ghana, our beloved country, is free forever," he said. Some attendees at the ceremony also commented on changes to the format of the celebrations. One participant said previous governments had held independence events across different regions, but the new approach focused on a smaller gathering in the capital to reduce costs. "The government is cutting a lot of costs. Before, we used to spend a lot of money on this celebration, but the government has... The president has realised that it will not help. We are just wasting the funds of Ghana. So bringing the celebration here is the best thing he has done," said an attendee. Ghana gained independence from the United Kingdom on March 6, 1957 - a milestone that inspired independence movements across Africa. The annual anniversary is marked with parades, cultural displays and national reflections on unity, patriotism and progress."