Ghana to receive 2,000 looted artefacts from Germany and Netherlands in landmark restitution deal
Ghana is set to receive approximately 2,000 looted artefacts and culturally significant items from the governments of the Netherlands and Germany, in what officials have described as a major milestone in global restitution efforts.
The announcement was made during the Next Steps Conference, where representatives of both European countries formally presented a catalogue of the artefacts scheduled for return to President John Dramani Mahama at a plenary session.
The artefacts, many of which were taken during the colonial era, are expected to be repatriated as part of growing international recognition of the need to address the historical removal of African cultural heritage.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed the development in a Facebook post on Saturday, June 20, describing the agreement as a significant step forward in Ghana’s long-standing campaign for restitution.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, the commitment by Germany and the Netherlands reflects an increasing willingness among European nations to engage in meaningful restitution processes, following sustained diplomatic efforts and renewed global discussions on cultural heritage.
“This is a major step in our quest to reclaim what rightfully belongs to Ghana and to correct the injustices of the past,” he noted.
In a related development, the Foreign Minister of Denmark also issued an apology for the country’s role in the transatlantic enslavement system and pledged support for the preservation of historical castles linked to that era.
Mr. Ablakwa explained that the apology and pledge form part of broader international efforts aimed at promoting historical truth, acknowledging past injustices, and ensuring that such events are never repeated.
Ghana has welcomed these developments as a sign of deepening cooperation with international partners, particularly following the adoption of a Ghana-led United Nations resolution on cultural restitution.
“We applaud the positive conduct of restitution we are beginning to witness from our international partners in Europe since the adoption of the historic Ghana-led UN Resolution,” the Minister added.
The expected return of the artefacts marks a significant chapter in Ghana’s cultural diplomacy and is seen as a boost to national heritage preservation efforts.