Ghanaian negotiators have announced a significant agreement with the United Kingdom, marking the return, albeit on a six-year loan, of 32 gold and silver treasures looted from the Asante kingdom over 150 years ago.
These precious artifacts, comprising 15 items from the British Museum and 17 from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), were originally taken from the court of the Asante king during turbulent 19th-century clashes between the British and the influential Asante people.
Under this historic accord, the revered relics, including gold and silver regalia associated with the Asante Royal Court, will find a temporary home at the Palace Museum in Kumasi. They will play a pivotal role in the year-long celebration honoring the king’s silver jubilee.
The ceremonial return of these treasures comes amidst growing pressure on European and US museums and institutions to address the restitution of African artifacts plundered during the colonial era by powers such as Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium.
Chief negotiator Ivor Agyeman-Duah confirmed the return of the items, stating that they were provided to the palace on loan. “These cherished artifacts, which hold immense cultural and spiritual significance for the Ashanti people, are here as part of a loan agreement for an initial three years, renewable for another three,” Agyeman-Duah explained.
“This marks a significant moment in our efforts to reclaim and preserve our heritage, fostering a renewed sense of pride and connection to our rich history,” he added, announcing an exhibition at the Manhyia Palace Museum starting on May 1 aimed at sharing the story of their past with the world.
This move reflects a recent initiative by the Fowler Museum in California, which returned seven royal artifacts, including a gold necklace and ornamental char, to Ghana’s traditional Ashanti king, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, coinciding with his silver jubilee commemoration.
Meanwhile, neighboring Nigeria is also engaged in negotiations for the return of thousands of 16th to 18th-century metal objects looted from the ancient kingdom of Benin and currently held by museums and art collectors across the United States and Europe. Two years ago, Benin received two dozen treasures and artworks stolen in 1892 by French colonial forces during the sacking of the royal Palace of Abomey.
