President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged for the repatriation of stolen and looted African cultural properties from the pre-colonial and colonial eras. Speaking at the opening of a three-day conference focused on the restitution of African heritage, organized by the Open Society Foundation, President Akufo-Addo emphasized the importance of returning these cultural treasures to their rightful homes. The conference, held at the iconic W.E. B Du Bois Memorial Centre in Accra, brought together participants from around the world, including dignitaries such as former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, representing the West Africa Elders Forum comprising former presidents of the region.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the profound significance of repatriating these cultural properties, not just for their aesthetic value, but also for the opportunity they provide to Africans and their descendants to reconnect with their history and enrich their knowledge and skills. These objects, long removed from their places of origin, hold deep cultural, social, and aesthetic meanings that can only be fully appreciated when returned to their rightful contexts.
The President passionately stressed that this repatriation would enable Africans to develop local expertise in understanding the technology, culture, social systems, and aesthetic value of these heritage pieces. By acknowledging the past and weaving it into the present, Africa can forge new relationships with the international community, particularly with Europe, which was implicated in the initial removal of these cultural properties.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that no amount of restitution can truly repair the damage inflicted by the transatlantic slave trade and its far-reaching consequences. Nonetheless, he emphasized that the time has come to reinvigorate discussions surrounding reparations for Africa. Drawing a poignant parallel, he asserted, “If reparations can rightfully be paid to victims of the Holocaust, reparations can be paid to victims of the slave trade.”
Moreover, President Akufo-Addo believes that the restitution process can be conducted harmoniously by involving state and non-state institutions, activist groups, and local community leaders. These stakeholders can collaborate with international counterparts based on mutual trust and respect, employing dialogue, negotiation, and consensus-building at every level. This approach aims to prevent any potential tensions during the restitution process.
The President proudly announced that the African Union (AU) had chosen Ghana to host a global conference on reparations for Africa. In preparation for this significant event, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture has established a national research team dedicated to studying international best practices and guidelines for restitution and repatriation. By doing so, Ghana seeks to be at the forefront of advocating for the return of its cultural heritage and contributing to the broader movement of restoration.
Ghana itself has already made strides in reclaiming its stolen cultural treasures. President Akufo-Addo cited examples from Ghana’s own history, such as the recovery of Nana Badu II’s severed head, executed in 1838, and the return of Ashanti royal family collections and an Ashanti stool in 1984 by the British government.
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma echoed President Akufo-Addo’s sentiments, stressing the urgent need to engage with custodians of illicitly acquired or stolen heritage resources. He advocated for a collaborative framework that involves inter-governmental action and cooperation. Such an approach would provide practical solutions for the restitution and management of these priceless heritage resources.
