South Africa returns British-looted Asante artefacts to Ghana

The government of South Africa has reportedly returned some British-looted Asante artefacts in their custody to Ghana.

The artefacts, which include gold, bronze artefacts, and silver ornaments, were among the items taken by British soldiers during the Sagrenti War in 1874 when they invaded the Asante Kingdom.

According to opemsuo.com, the artefacts that have been returned from South Africa include linguist staff, swords, palace security locks, rings, necklaces, and proverbial gold weights depicting crocodiles and gold sandals.

The items are expected to be officially handed over in the course of the weekend.

This follows the return of 39 such regalia from the Fowler Museum, the British Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum earlier this year.

The Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the seat of the Asante kingdom, received the first batch of looted artefacts from the Fowler Museum in California, USA, as part of a restitution agreement between the museum and the palace.

After several engagements between Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the English Monarch, the British government offered to send some of these items back to Ghana on a three-year loan.

Otumfuo Hiahene, Nana Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjeu Woahene II, of the Manhyia Palace, in a video shared on X by 3News, confirmed that the first batch of the items has been returned.

“Fowler Museum in California has delivered seven precious items which will be on display on Thursday. Those things that were taken from our forefathers many years ago have now found their way home,” he stated.

Otumfuo Hiahene added that the palace is expecting the rest of the items later in the year.

“Somewhere between April and May, we will be receiving more items from Britain also,” he added.

BAI/AE

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