Team to lead repatriation of Ghana’s stolen cultural artefacts inaugurated

A nine-member reconstituted national focal team for the restitution and repatriation of illegally stolen cultural artefacts has been inaugurated to lead the country’s efforts to identify, document, negotiate and secure the return of cultural property that was illegally acquired and currently held in foreign institutions. 

The team is also expected to work towards achieving reparative justice for the harm caused by the loss of Ghanaian cultural treasures.

The committee is chaired by Professor Kodzo Gavua of the Archaeology and Heritage Studies at the University of Ghana.

Other members are seasoned diplomat and legal expert, Mohammed Seidu; a Senior Legal Officer at the Attorney-General’s Department, Daphne Akonor; Head of Religious Affairs Unit at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Richard Obeng Boafo; a cultural historian at the University of Ghana, Dr Aba Mansa Eyifa-Dzidzienyo, and the Country Director of UNESCO Ghana, Edmond Moukala.

The rest are the acting Executive Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), Kwesi Essel Blankson; the Dean of the School of Arts at the University of Ghana, Prof. Wazi Apoh, and Director for Culture and Creative Arts at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Divine Kwame Owusu-Ansah. 

Commitment

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, said at the event last Monday that the formation of the team marked a significant cultural and moral commitment by the government.

“For far too long, Ghana, like many other African nations, has watched from afar as priceless cultural artefacts, sacred objects and historic regalia have remained housed in foreign institutions, acquired through acts of colonial plunder, deceit or exploitation,” she said.

The minister said the absence of those items had left a painful void in the country’s historical narrative and the soul of the nation, adding that the current global awakening to the legacy of colonialism must be matched with action, particularly the restitution of looted cultural property.

She urged the members to carry out their work with integrity, diplomacy, historical rigour and unwavering patriotism.

“To the distinguished members of this team, you represent the hopes of a nation and the guardianship of our cultural sovereignty. You carry the torch lit by our forebears and the expectations of future generations.

“We do not seek vengeance. We seek justice. We do not seek conflict.

We seek collaboration. Above all, we seek that what rightfully belongs to the Ghanaian people becomes theirs once again,” the minister added.

Appreciation

Prof. Gavua expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve once again, adding that the work of the previous team, which he also chaired, had already laid a solid foundation for progress.

He said some foreign institutions had already shown willingness to return stolen artefacts to the country.

“The Gabi Museum in Germany, since 2022, has expressed interest in returning two valuable items of Asante origin, a stool and a shrine figure.

“The Farla Museum has already returned some gold to Asante and is also willing to repatriate more items,” the chairman said.

He added that the Netherlands had provided a comprehensive list of Ghanaian-origin artefacts from its public museums, and discussions were underway to determine which ones should be returned.

The chairman further said that the country had also been involved in a German policy review committee on restitution and was currently pursuing the return of collections taken from Pandu in the early 20th century during the exile of the King of Pandu to Cameroon.

He said the German Embassy had been instrumental in their efforts.