Human remains are not collectibles or specimens, to be kept in museums – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged museums worldwide to respectfully return the remains of enslaved Africans, asserting that human remains are not mere museum specimens or collectibles. Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York, Mahama painted a vivid picture of Africa before its artifacts were removed by colonial powers, emphasizing the rich history and traditions that were lost.

He recounted the destruction of Kumasi in 1874 by British forces, which resulted in the looting of the Asantehene's palace, and highlighted subsequent instances of heritage theft, such as the Benin bronzes and the decapitated head of Ahanta's King Badu Bonsu II, which remained preserved in formaldehyde for over a century before its return to Ghana in 2009.

Mahama underscored that the restitution of these remains is not a matter of legal ownership but a profound statement of shared human dignity. He emphasized that this is an ongoing journey toward justice, and Ghana's recent adoption of the Accra Next Steps commitment, backed by 123 member states, marks a significant step forward. This commitment aims to provide a framework for achieving Reparatory Justice, moving beyond acknowledgment to concrete actions and implementation.