Chief negotiator Ivor Agyeman Dua confirmed the return of the items on Saturday, saying they had been given to the palace on loan. (@UnivofGh/X old Twitter)
- Britain has given back artefacts stolen from Ghana more than 150 years ago with a six-year loan.
- This comes in the wake of increased international pressure for museums to return artifacts taken from Africa during the colonial era.
- Among the items returned is the 300-year-old sword Mponponso, which was used in the swearing-in ceremony.
Britain has returned 32 gold and silver treasures stolen from the Asante Kingdom in present-day Ghana over 150 years ago with a six-year loan, according to Ghanaian negotiators.
The artefacts, 15 from the British Museum and 17 from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), were looted from the court of the Asante king during the tumultuous conflict between the British and the Asante in the 19th century. Thing.
Ghanaian authorities have been trying for years to recover gold treasures looted by British soldiers from the Asante Kingdom, also known as Ashanti.
The agreement will see artifacts associated with the Asante royal family, including gold and silver treasures, displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region, as part of the annual celebration of the King's Silver Jubilee.
Chief negotiator Ivor Agyeman-Dua told AFP on Saturday that the items had been returned, saying they had been given to the palace on loan.
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This follows a growing international momentum and movement for museums and institutions to return African artefacts from their former colonial powers.
Nigeria is also negotiating the return of thousands of 16th- to 18th-century metal objects looted from the ancient kingdom of Benin and now held by museums and art collectors in the United States and Europe.
Two years ago, Benin received 20 treasures and works of art stolen by French colonial forces during the sacking of Abomey Royal Palace in 1892.
Agyeman-Dua said:
These priceless artefacts, which are of immense cultural and spiritual importance to the Ashanti people, are housed here as part of a loan agreement for an initial three years, renewable for three subsequent years. .
He added: “This represents an important moment in our efforts to reclaim and preserve our heritage, fostering a renewed sense of pride and connection to our rich history,” adding that the exhibition will open from May 1. It was mentioned that it would be held.
Among the items returned is the 300-year-old sword Mponponso, which was used in the swearing-in ceremony.
A golden peace pipe and a gold disc worn by the official responsible for purifying the king's soul are also among the 17 items the V&A plans to loan to the Ghana Museum.
The selected items from the British Museum consist primarily of royal treasures plundered from the palaces of Kumasi during the Anglo-Asante wars.
Items are rented under two separate three-year contracts.