{
  "id": 9582341,
  "title": "Capacity constraints must never be a barrier to restitution – Mahama",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/capacity-constraints-must-never-be-a-barrier-to-restitution-mahama",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T16:16:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/capacity-constraints-must-never-be-a-barrier-to-restitution-mahama/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama has refuted claims that African nations should prioritize constructing modern museums and conservation centers before repatriating cultural artifacts acquired during colonial times. The President maintains that concerns over Africa's ability to safeguard returned heritage should not serve as justification for retaining African cultural property in foreign institutions. Speaking at a high-level side event during the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, Mahama emphasized that capacity constraints should never be used to justify continued ownership. Instead, he argued that capacity should be seen as a pathway to restitution, not an obstacle. Mahama stated that African countries are actively developing institutions and infrastructure to receive, preserve, and study returned cultural treasures. He cited the African Union's plans for the Great African Museum, the AU-EU Museum Partnership, and Ghana's initiatives to enhance national and traditional institutions as proof of the continent's dedication to heritage preservation. Mahama urged international partners to assist African nations by providing technology, conservation expertise, digitization, and professional training, rather than allowing capacity limitations to hinder restitution efforts.",
  "summary": "President John Dramani Mahama has rejected arguments that African countries should first develop modern museums and conservation facilities before cultural artefacts taken during colonial rule are returned.",
  "key_points": [
    "President Mahama rejects museum construction before artifact return",
    "Capacity constraints should not hinder cultural property restitution",
    "African nations developing institutions for returned treasures"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "A (permanent) seat at the table of power: African leaders press UN for Security Council reform",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/a-permanent-seat-at-the-table-of-power-african-leaders-press-un-for",
        "published": "2026-09-24T12:45:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Mahama demands unconditional return of African artefacts and human remains",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/mahama-demands-unconditional-return-of-african-artefacts-and-human",
        "published": "2026-09-24T15:49:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}