UK decides to ‘loan’ Ghana its stolen royal artefacts

ACCRA. — Last week saw the repatriation of 32 royal items that had been taken from the Ashanti Empire in West Africa during the 19th century by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum.

However, this repatriation is based on a loan deal. The kingdom which is what is now modern-day Ghana fought in the Anglo-Asante Wars, during which the royal objects were taken from the Palace in Kumasi.

A report by the BBC, revealed that the United Kingdom (UK) has returned 32 royal artefacts that were taken in the 19th century from the Asante Kingdom of Ghana — 15 of these items were returned by the British Museum, while the remaining 17 were returned by the Victoria and Albert Museum.

However, these artefacts were delivered on a loan deal, renewable in the next three years.

The 150-year-old royal regalia, most of which are golden, will be loaned for the next three years at first, with the option to renew for another three years.

This deal was not negotiated by the Ghanaian government, but rather with the current traditional ruler of the Ashanti people, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who began negotiations in May 2023.

The deal falls within the same period the silver jubilee anniversary of Asantehene Osei Tutu II, is scheduled to be commemorated.

“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,” the Asante Palace said in a statement.

A permanent repatriation of the items has been rendered unfeasible due to legal constraints in the UK.

The monarch will take delivery of the artefacts in custom-made Belgian cases in Kumasi, after which the Manhyia Palace Museum will be closed for three weeks to complete the installation and encasing. — BusinessInsider.com