Looted Asante royal regalia and ornaments to be returned
Looted Asante royal regalia and ornaments to be returned
After one and a half centuries of sitting in the museums of Ghana’s former colonial masters, the Manhyia Palace is preparing to receive Asante Royal regalia and precious ornaments looted from Kumasi during the Sir Garnet Wolseley war, also known as the “SAGRENTI WAR.”
Events of 1874 are marked as one of the most memorable in Asante’s history.
The battle of Amoaful on January 31, saw the Asante army kill three Europeans and wounded dozens.
By February 5, the British army had taken their revenge, looting and burning the Asantehene’s palace in Kumasi.
150 years later, ornaments stolen from the palace are being returned to their original place, but as loan to be returned in 3 to 6 years.
For residents of Kumasi, the UK’s government decision to return the looted items is laudable, but they are unhappy with the loan agreement.
“The stolen items were for us, so how is it possible to loan it to us and after some years you take it back to the UK? This can’t be right. Once the items get here, we will have to keep them permanently”, said Serwaa Nhyira, a resident of Kumasi.
“Returning the artifacts is good news, because it will boost tourism in the Ashanti region, but I’m not happy with the attachment of loan. Something that originally belongs to me and you want to loan it to me? It doesn’t make sense. It should stay at its rightful place, which is the Manhyia Palace”, another resident, Nana Peprah argued.
In May this year, Asantehene will mark 25 years of his ascension onto the golden stool.
These 39 Asante royal regalia and objects looted by the British troops, which are expected to arrive in the country in batches between February and April, would be displayed during the anniversary.
The Manhyia Palace Museum with an annual visitation number of around 80,000, is expected to increase in revenue numbers.
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