Ghana, Netherlands deepen cooperation on reparations, artefact restitution and Creative Arts sector
The Netherlands has handed over an inventory of Ghanaian artefacts held in Dutch collections, as compiled by the World Museum in Leiden, to Ghanaian authorities.
The inventory, provided in digital and printed formats, is expected to support Ghana’s identification of artefacts of historical and cultural significance for possible restitution.
This was the outcome of high-level talks in Accra between the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and a Netherlands delegation led by the Ambassador to Ghana, Jeroen Verheul, as Ghana and the Netherlands strengthened bilateral cooperation on reparations, artefact restitution, heritage preservation and creative industry development.
Present at the meeting were the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Youssif Issaka Jajah; the Director, Culture and Creative Arts, Divine Owusu Ansah, and the Director PPME, Dr Alphonse Kumaza.
Ms Gomashie welcomed the initiative, describing it as a practical step towards historical justice and alignment with Ghana’s reparative justice agenda.
She indicated that the process would complement the work of President John Dramani Mahama, the African Union’s Special Envoy on Reparations.
Discussions also covered the preservation of Ghana’s forts and castles, including Fort Prinzenstein, with emphasis on shared international responsibility for their conservation through UNESCO-supported mechanisms.
On the creative economy, the minister highlighted the need for investment, skills development and institutional partnerships to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.
She stated that Ghana had litigation-free land available for investment, and stressed that sustainable growth in the creative industries required strategic partnerships beyond public funding.
Mr Verheul reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to the restitution of objects acquired through force or coercion, following formal requests and joint provenance research by Ghanaian and Dutch experts, with decisions guided by an independent restitution committee.
He confirmed Ghana’s designation as a Netherlands focus country for cultural cooperation, supported by a structured programme and dedicated funding since 2024.
The meeting concluded with the official handover of the artefact inventory, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to cultural cooperation, historical justice and sustainable development.
