‘Our young people must inherit story of what Africa created, not lost’ – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged the revival of Africa's cultural heritage in order to help future generations connect with the continent's history, accomplishments and identity. He maintained that young Africans should not be left with only the tale of Africa's losses due to conquest, colonialism and the removal of its cultural assets, but should also have access to proof of what African societies created and excelled in.

Addressing a High-Level Side Event on the Next Steps during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mahama emphasized the significance of the return of African artifacts in shaping young people's understanding of their past. "Our young people must inherit not just the narrative of what Africa lost, but also the narrative of what Africa created," he stated.

He added that the presence of African artifacts on the continent would enable future generations to experience firsthand tangible evidence of their ancestors' achievements. According to Mahama, a young African visiting a museum on the continent should be able to witness proof that Africa's history did not commence with oppression.

"She learns that her history did not start with subjugation. She learns that her ancestors built empires, mastered metallurgy, engineered intricate political systems, and crafted exquisite art," he explained. Mahama posited that the restitution of cultural heritage is therefore not solely about returning physical items, but also about reestablishing links between African communities, their history and their identity.

He noted that Ghana's quest for reparatory justice aimed at forming alliances to tackle the repercussions of historical injustices. "Ghana does not come to this venue to allocate blame for the past. We come to establish a partnership with the present to mend the future," he asserted. Mahama affirmed that the ultimate objective was to ensure that Africa's cultural heritage persists through its return to the communities and organizations from which it was extracted.