32 royal artifacts that were taken from the Asante Kingdom of Ghana in the 19th century have been returned by the United Kingdom.
During the terrible Sargrenti War of 1874, as well as other Anglo-Asante Wars, the royal artifacts were plundered from the Palace in Kumasi.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum (BM) returned them on Tuesday.
The 150-year-old royal regalia, most of which are golden, will be lent for three years at first, with the option to renew for an additional three.
The loan agreement is with Otumfo Osei Tutu II, the Ashanti people’s current traditional ruler, rather than the Ghanaian government.
Permanent repatriation of the items has been rendered unfeasible due to legal constraints in the UK.
For the first time in 150 years, several of these objects will be viewed in Ghana. Fifteen of the objects come from the British Museum, while seventeen are from the Victoria & Albert Museum.
In May, they will be on exhibit and available to the public.
