A national focal team has been established by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts to oversee the restoration and restitution of Ghana’s stolen cultural assets.
Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie stressed during her remarks at the launch that recovering these artifacts is about more than just “old things,” but also about regaining historical continuity, identity, and dignity. She urged the young people to learn about and feel a connection to their heritage.
Prominent archaeologist Prof. Kojo Gavua reported on the progress made thus far, including offers from the Durban Museum (South Africa) and the return of artifacts from the Fowler Museum (USA). Ghana is also collaborating with organizations in Germany and the Netherlands to retrieve other artifacts.
Mr. Carl Ampah of UNESCO commended Ghana for having a robust legal system that now gives the nation the authority to formally request repatriation.
Experts from international organizations including UNESCO, legal institutions, academia, and foreign affairs, make up the recently established team.
Their goal is to help reparative justice by locating, recording, and negotiating the return of precious cultural artifacts.
The African Union, UNESCO, and ECOWAS support a broader African movement that includes Ghana’s restitution agenda.
Source: newsthemegh.com