{
  "id": 9404447,
  "title": "Mahama calls on UN, UNESCO to facilitate return of African artefacts, ancestral remains",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/mahama-calls-on-un-unesco-to-facilitate-return-of-african-artefacts",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T19:53:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/mahama-calls-on-un-unesco-to-facilitate-return-of-african-artefacts-ancestral-remains/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama has urged the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO to play a pivotal role in developing robust international frameworks to repatriate African artifacts and ancestral remains held in foreign museums and private collections. He made this appeal during a high-level side event on reparatory justice in New York, which took place as part of the activities commemorating the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Mahama emphasized the need for a review of laws and procedures in countries that currently hold African cultural properties, in order to alleviate the legal and administrative hurdles that impede restitution. He asserted that the continued holding of African artifacts and human remains is not just a matter of ownership, but also one of dignity, identity, and justice. \"Human remains are not collectibles. They are not specimens. They are our ancestors. They are our fathers, mothers, kings, and elders,\" he stated. Mahama pointed out that generations of Africans have been separated from crucial aspects of their history and cultural identity due to the removal of artifacts and human remains during conquests, punitive expeditions, and colonial rule. He highlighted the 1874 British looting of the Asante Royal Palace in Kumasi, which resulted in the theft of various heritage items, including the Mpomponsuo sword, which was returned to Ghana in 2024. Additionally, Mahama referenced the case of King Badu Bonsu II of Ahanta, who was executed by Dutch authorities in 1838 and had his head sent to the Netherlands for phrenological studies before his remains were repatriated to Ghana in 2009. These examples underscore the necessity for restitution efforts to encompass both cultural objects and the human remains of Africans held outside the continent. Mahama emphasized that the restoration of these items is not a matter of legal ownership, but rather a fundamental test of shared human dignity. He stated that Africa is prepared and equipped to receive and preserve returned cultural properties and human remains. He further indicated that Ghana is prepared to commit to the development of suitable museum facilities to safeguard such items.",
  "summary": "President John Dramani Mahama has called on the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO to take the lead in creating stronger international frameworks to facilitate the return of African artefacts and ancestral human remains held in museums and private collections outside the continent. He made the call on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at a high-level side […]",
  "key_points": [
    "UN and UNESCO urged to develop international frameworks for African artifact return.",
    "Mahama emphasizes need to review laws and procedures for restitution.",
    "Ghana ready to develop museum facilities for returned cultural properties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Human remains are not collectibles, specimens – Mahama demands restitution of Africa’s heritage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/human-remains-are-not-collectibles-specimens-mahama-demands",
        "published": "2026-09-23T19:08:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "First Lady calls for holistic health and empowerment for African women at OAFLAD Summit in New York",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/first-lady-calls-for-holistic-health-and-empowerment-for-african",
        "published": "2026-09-23T21:48:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}