The Manhyia Palace in Kumasi has displayed 35 artefacts that were looted by the British colonisers from the Asante Kingdom for public viewing.
The artefacts on display at the Palace include a ceremonial cap decorated with gold ornaments known as Mpomponsuo, a sword of state, three cast gold soul-washers’ badges, and a gold peace pipe.
These artefacts were taken from the Kingdom during the Anlo-Asante wars, including the infamous Sagrenti War of 1874.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, described the return of the artefacts to the Asante Kingdom as the coming back of the spirit the African continent shared, urging the public to visit the Manhyia Palace Museum to view the items.
The artefacts that were taken 150 years ago have been returned under a loan agreement for three years, which is subject to renewal.
The agreement is between the Victoria and Albert Museum, the British Museum and the Asante Kingdom.
Speaking at the display, the Asantehene narrated how his predecessors negotiated for the return of the artefacts until he came to add his voice for them to be brought back.
“The exhibition that we are witnessing today has been through negotiations from my predecessors, where Prempeh I, when he returned, requested for these artefacts to be brought back. My uncle Prempeh II also brought up that idea in 1948 and my brother Opoku Ware also came up with this idea again and then I come here standing in front of you to negotiate.
“When I travelled in May [2023], I brought the matter up again with the British Museum and through that, here we are with all these items being returned and the agreement is for us to keep it for three years and renew it for another three years,” he stated.
