Ghana Says Germany and Netherlands to Return 2,000 Objects Stolen During Colonial Era

Germany and the Netherlands have pledged to return around 2,000 valuable cultural objects to Ghana, which were taken during the colonial period. Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the commitment, describing it as a commendable step.

The announcement came during a recent high-level conference held in Ghana's capital, Accra. The conference specifically addressed the history of African enslavement during the transatlantic slave trade. Ablakwa shared on Facebook that both European nations confirmed their willingness to repatriate these looted artifacts.

According to the minister, ambassadors from the Netherlands and Germany presented a "catalog of the treasures to be returned" to Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama. This act signifies a concrete move towards restitution and acknowledges the historical wrongs committed during colonial rule.

Additionally, Denmark's Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, issued an apology for his country's role in the transatlantic slave trade. He also pledged to assist in preserving historical castles built during that era, framing it as a good-faith effort to prevent historical erasure and promote truth. Ghana's top diplomat lauded these positive actions regarding restitution, noting they align with a significant UN resolution championed by Ghana, which declared the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity.