The antiquities will be on display from May 1 at the Manhyia Palace Museum in the city of Kumasi, to mark the celebration of Ghana’s Silver Jubilee of the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
:quality(50)/2023/07/10/64abd44855ee1_placeholder-36b69ec8.png)
Published
Reading time: 2 min
:quality(50)/2024/04/20/000-34hz4qv-6623a28bdf777735589162.jpg)
Two British museums have returned to Ghana 32 gold and silver objects looted from the Ashanti kingdom more than 150 years ago for a period of six years, according to the Ghanaian side that negotiated the loan. These precious objects, which arrived in the country on Wednesday April 17, were stolen from the court of the Asante (or Ashanti) king during the 19th century conflicts between the British and the influential Asante people. Fifteen of them come from the British Museum, and 17 from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A).
The return comes at a time when international pressure is mounting for European and American museums and institutions to return to African countries art looted by former colonial powers such as Great Britain, France, Germany and Belgium.
According to the agreement, these antiquities, including gold and silver costumes associated with the Asante royal court, will be on display from May 1 at the Manhyia Palace Museum, Kumasi city, in celebration of the year-long Silver Jubilee of the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
“Feeling of pride”
Ivor Agyeman-Duah, the king’s adviser who negotiated the return of the items, explained that they were loaned to the palace for a maximum of six years. “These precious artefacts, which have immense cultural and spiritual importance to the Ashanti people, are here on loan for an initial period of three years, with an option to extend for a further three years.”the adviser told AFP by phone.“This marks an important moment in our efforts to restore and preserve our heritage, and builds a sense of pride and connection to our rich history.”added Ivor Agyeman-Duah.
In February, the Fowler Museum at the University of California permanently returned seven royal objects to King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, which will be displayed alongside those on loan from two British museums.
Nigeria is also negotiating the return of thousands of metal objects dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, looted from the ancient kingdom of Benin and currently held by museums and art collectors in the United States and Europe. In 2021, France returned to Benin 26 objects and works of art stolen in 1892 by colonial forces during the looting of Abomey.