Manhyia Palace Museum unveils major international cultural partnerships at Otumfuo Art Awards

The Manhyia Palace Museum has announced a series of major international partnerships and heritage initiatives aimed at preserving Asante history and promoting Ghanaian art on the global stage.

The revelations were made by the museum’s director, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, during the second edition of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Art Awards in Kumasi.

Addressing guests at the ceremony which happened on Wednesday, Mr. Agyeman-Duah said the museum continues to expand its global engagements through collaborations with museums, cultural agencies and heritage institutions across Africa and Europe.

He revealed that the Asante Kingdom’s restitution campaign has entered a new phase, with ongoing discussions involving institutions such as the Wallace Collection, The British Museum and the Wellcome Collection over looted Asante artefacts.

According to him, a major exhibition dubbed “Encountering Gold—Asante and the Wallace Collection” will open in London in 2027 and feature gold regalia taken during the Anglo-Asante War of 1874.

The exhibition is expected to be officially opened by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and accompanied by an international conference involving more than 200 participants.

Mr. Agyeman-Duah also disclosed that the museum has completed identification and authentication processes on dozens of Asante artefacts currently housed at the Wellcome Collection in England, with the first batch expected to be permanently returned to Ghana next year.

He explained that the restitution work has involved extensive historical and linguistic research, including translations of Arabic inscriptions connected to Asante military and spiritual traditions from the 19th century.

The museum director further announced plans for the construction of a modern central storage and conservation facility to protect returned artefacts and existing collections.

He said the project, being undertaken with support from Justice & Repair, will include conservation laboratories and traditional music preservation spaces.

In addition to restitution efforts, the museum is also strengthening ties with African cultural institutions.

Mr. Agyeman-Duah cited partnerships with heritage agencies in Rwanda, Eswatini and Seychelles focused on educating young people about African history through digital technology.

He also announced a collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation for an upcoming exhibition in Mauritius exploring the history of the Indian Ocean slave trade under the theme “Forgotten Saints.”

The event also highlighted efforts to preserve visual records of Kumasi’s cultural evolution.

Mr. Agyeman-Duah said the museum has acquired over 100 historical photographs documenting life in Kumasi from the 1950s through support from Agnes Addo-Kufuor, widow of the late Prempeh II.

He praised the continued support of Lady Julia Osei Tutu for Ghanaian artists and acknowledged contributions from local and international partners helping to sustain the awards scheme.

The ceremony attracted artists, diplomats, curators and cultural stakeholders from several countries, reinforcing Kumasi’s growing reputation as a centre for African cultural diplomacy, heritage preservation and artistic excellence.

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