Mahama demands unconditional return of African artefacts and human remains
President John Dramani Mahama has called for the immediate and unconditional return of African human remains held in museums and institutions outside the continent, describing their continued possession as a fundamental question of human dignity.
President John Dramani Mahama has urged the prompt and unconditional return of African human remains stored in museums and institutions overseas, labeling their continued existence as a critical issue of human dignity. Addressing a high-level side event on the return and restitution of cultural properties and heritage at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mahama emphasized that human remains should not be treated as mere museum items or scientific curiosities.
He highlighted the case of King Badu Bonsu II of Ahanta, who was executed in 1838 by Dutch forces following a rebellion against colonial rule. The king's head was subsequently sent to the Netherlands and kept in a jar of formaldehyde for approximately 170 years before being repatriated to Ghana in 2009. Mahama stressed that human remains are not mere collectibles or specimens, but rather our ancestors.
He proposed that the repatriation of human remains should serve as the starting point for a comprehensive international framework on restitution, asserting that legal and administrative obstacles should not impede African nations from reclaiming the remains of their forebears.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Africa must be granted permanent representation on UN Security Council - Prez Mahama 3news.com
- Democracy must deliver food, jobs and healthcare, not just elections – Mahama myjoyonline.com
- A (permanent) seat at the table of power: African leaders press UN for Security Council reform winnipegfreepress.com
