The Netherlands has agreed to return 2,000 Ghanaian artefacts held in Dutch collections, following renewed discussions on reparatory justice and the restitution of cultural property.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, made this known on June 21, 2026, at the close of the three-day Next Steps Conference on Reparatory Justice and the Juneteenth Commemorative Durbar at the Osu Castle in Accra.
He said the Dutch government had completed an inventory of the artefacts and had made the decision to return them to Ghana.
"At this conference, we received great news from the Dutch government that they have catalogued 2,000 artefacts that they have decided to return to the motherland," Mr Ablakwa said.
He added that Dutch officials had made a symbolic presentation of the inventory to President John Dramani Mahama.
"The first attachment is a catalogue of 2,000 artefacts from the Dutch government," Mr Ablakwa said while presenting the conference outcome document.
He said the decision was among the practical outcomes of the conference.
"I am happy to note that the Accra Next Steps Conference has not been a mere talk shop. It has delivered beyond expectation. There are concrete outcomes that we have all seen and witnessed," he said.
The return of the artefacts comes as international calls continue for the restitution of African cultural property removed during the colonial period.
It also follows the adoption in March this year of a Ghana-sponsored United Nations resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement as grave crimes against humanity.
The resolution called for dialogue on reparatory justice and the prompt return of cultural property and heritage items to their countries of origin.
Addressing participants at the conference, President Mahama said the campaign for reparations was not limited to financial compensation but also sought the return of cultural heritage and the restoration of historical dignity.
"Our work goes beyond reparations, goes beyond return of artefacts. It goes into advocacy for creating a more equal world, a world that offers opportunity to everyone and a world that is fair and just," he said.
President Mahama said the return of cultural property formed part of efforts to address the enduring effects of slavery and colonialism.
The conference was also told that Germany had indicated its readiness to return identified artefacts in its possession, while France had pledged support for the establishment of a scientific commission to trace African artefacts held abroad.
Denmark also announced plans to work with Ghana to preserve Osu Castle and other slave forts built during the colonial era.
Earlier this year, Ghana and the Netherlands held discussions in Accra on reparatory justice, artefact restitution and heritage preservation as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in those areas.
The conference ended with the adoption of the Accra Commitment, a document intended to guide Africa, the Caribbean and the African diaspora in pursuing reparatory justice and the return of cultural property.
The return of the artefacts is expected to strengthen Ghana's museums and heritage institutions and support efforts to reconnect people of African descent with their cultural heritage.
