Ghana will receive a selection of its gold regalia that was looted by British forces in the 19th century, in a landmark loan deal announced on Thursday. The agreement, which involves 32 objects from the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, marks a significant step in the global debate over the repatriation of cultural artifacts.
The items, including a gold peace pipe and a sword of state, were taken from the palace of the Asante king in Kumasi during the Anglo-Asante wars. They are considered to be of “cultural, historical and spiritual significance” to the Asante people, according to a joint statement by the museums.
The loan deal follows months of negotiations that began after Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, known as the Asantehene, visited London last May to attend the coronation of King Charles. He met with the leaders of the London museums and expressed his desire to see the return of Ghana’s “crown jewels”.
The objects will be loaned under two separate three-year agreements and are expected to form part of an exhibition planned for the Ghanaian king’s silver jubilee celebration later this year. They will be displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, which is the seat of the Asante kingdom and a major tourist attraction.
The loan deal is seen as a possible model for other African countries that are seeking the repatriation of their looted artifacts from European museums. Nigeria and Ethiopia are among the nations that have made such requests, citing the historical injustice and cultural loss caused by colonial plunder.
However, some museums argue that they are legally prevented from permanently returning contested items in their collections. They also claim that they serve as custodians of global heritage and provide access and education to diverse audiences.
The British Museum, which houses the largest collection of the Elgin Marbles from the Greek Parthenon, has been at the center of a long-running dispute with Greece over the ownership and restitution of the ancient sculptures. The museum’s trustees have said they would consider a loan to Greece if Athens acknowledges its ownership of the marble, which Greek governments have refused to do.
The Victoria & Albert Museum, which holds 17 items that it plans to lend to Ghana, has also faced criticism for its display of the Maqdala treasures from Ethiopia, which were looted by British troops in 1868. The museum has offered to return some of the items on long-term loan, but Ethiopia has insisted on their permanent restitution.
The loan deal with Ghana is seen as a gesture of goodwill and a recognition of the importance of the objects to the Asante people. Obadele Kambon, an associate professor at the University of Ghana, told Reuters: “These are more than artifacts; they are the items that connect us to our history, our past and help us to understand who we are, how we’re relevant and relate to the world and one another.”
The Asante kingdom, which dates back to the 17th century, was one of the most powerful and wealthy states in West Africa. It grew rich from the local gold deposits and the international trade that flourished in the region. The gold regalia symbolized the authority and prestige of the Asante kings, who still play a vital role in Ghanaian society and culture.
The loan deal is expected to boost the tourism and economy of Ghana, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary of independence this year. It is also hoped that it will foster a closer relationship and dialogue between Ghana and Britain, as well as between the museums and the Asante people.
Source: Reuters
