Ablakwa calls for Return of African Artefacts held abroad

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for the return of African cultural artefacts held in museums and private collections abroad, saying the principle of restitution should apply equally to Africa as it does to other groups.

He said the return of cultural artefacts should form an important part of efforts to advance reparatory justice, reconciliation and the building of a fairer world.

Mr Ablakwa made the call in New York on Wednesday when he addressed a High-Level Side Event on Reparatory Justice.

He said countries that had laws restricting the return of African artefacts should consider repealing them to allow for the restitution of items taken from the continent.

The Minister cited recent developments in the United States concerning the return of artefacts belonging to Jewish communities, saying similar principles could be applied to African cultural property.

“If that principle can apply so beautifully to the Jews, and we commend the US for this new law, we are also deserving of the same principle,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa said the Ghana-led reparatory justice initiative was not intended to divide countries but to promote healing, genuine reconciliation and cooperation.

He said the process would involve difficult and sometimes tense discussions, but the current generation had a responsibility to create a new path based on trust and reconciliation.

The Minister also welcomed the willingness of the United States to engage with Ghana on reparatory justice, despite its vote against the resolution.

He said Ghana remained committed to working with countries and other stakeholders to promote a fair and just world without racism and discrimination.

Mr Ablakwa said the return of cultural artefacts represented an important first step in that process and urged countries holding African artefacts to work towards their restitution.