UK loans back Ghana’s looted royal artefacts

In a historic gesture of reconciliation, the United Kingdom (UK) has returned 32 of Ghana’s royal Artefacts, originally looted from the Asante Kingdom during the Anglo-Asante Wars of the 19th Century.

This significant event saw precious items, taken from the Palace in Kumasi amid the turbulence of the Sargrenti War in 1874, being handed back on Tuesday by the British Museum (BM) and the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A).

The returned artefacts, which include mostly golden royal regalia dating back 150 years, are part of a unique loan agreement.

This arrangement, which is with Otumfo Osei Tutu II—the present Asantehene or traditional ruler of the Ashanti people—rather than the Ghanaian government, spans an initial three years, with the possibility of renewal for another three.

Legal hurdles within the UK have prevented the permanent repatriation of these items, yet their return marks a monumental moment in Ghana’s cultural and historical narrative.

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The timing of this repatriation is poignant, coinciding with the silver jubilee anniversary of Asantehene Osei Tutu II’s reign, who initiated the negotiations for their return in May of the previous year.

The Asante Palace announced that the “Gold and silver regalia, associated with the Asante royal court, will be displayed at the Palace Museum as part of a long-term loan commitment by the Victoria & Albert and the British Museum.”

Upon their return, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will ceremoniously receive these artefacts in specially designed Belgian cases in Kumasi.

Subsequently, the Manhyia Palace Museum will undergo a three-week closure to accommodate the installation works and encasing of these treasures, symbols of the Asante’s rich tradition and authority.

This event not only heralds the return of objects of immense cultural significance to the Asante people but also represents a significant step towards acknowledging and rectifying the historical injustices associated with colonial-era looting.

The public display, scheduled for May, will offer many Ghanaians their first glimpse in 150 years of these remarkable items, comprising 15 pieces from the British Museum and 17 from the Victoria & Albert Museum, reinforcing the enduring strength and resilience of the Asante Kingdom’s heritage and its significance on the global stage.

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