Twenty-eight (28) artefacts looted during the Sagrenti War have been returned to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The ceremonial event, held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on November 23, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the Ashanti Kingdom’s history, coinciding with the 100th-anniversary celebration of the late King Prempeh I’s return from exile in Seychelles.
The artefacts, which include gold ornaments, ceremonial swords, padlocks for treasury safekeeping, and other traditional regalia, were originally seized by British forces during the war and later came into the possession of a West African art collector in 1922.
AngloGold Ashanti, a mining company, acquired them in 2000 and facilitated their return after extensive negotiations with the Manhyia Palace and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Stewart Bailey, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director of AngloGold Ashanti, emphasised the company’s commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom.
He praised the collaborative efforts that made the repatriation possible, expressing gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and dignitaries in attendance, including Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan and Ghanaian leaders.
“This return is a testament to what unity and partnership can achieve in preserving and honouring cultural legacies,” Bailey remarked.
The return of these artefacts has been hailed as a monumental moment for the Ashanti Kingdom.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed gratitude for the gesture, describing it as a vital step in healing historical wounds.
The Sagrenti War, also known as the Yaa Asantewaa War, was a pivotal resistance against British colonial rule, led by Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Queen Mother of Ejisu.
Following the Ashanti Kingdom’s defeat, King Prempeh I was exiled to Seychelles, and many cultural treasures were taken by British forces.
The repatriated artefacts will be displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum for public viewing. The event is part of a broader celebration commemorating King Prempeh I’s return from exile, featuring a grand durbar and a symposium on his enduring legacy.
