Manhyia Museum Signs MoU to Retrieve Remaining Asante Artefacts

The Manhyia Palace Museum has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) to cooperate for the return of the remaining Asante artefacts across the world.

The MoU followed the restitution of some Asante artefacts from South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

At a ceremony at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi on March 25, 2025, the Director of the Museum, Ivor Agyeman-Duah and Senior Programme Officer of ATJLF Yvonne Darkwah Poku signed for their sides.

As part of the agreement, the two sides will collaboratively mount a relentless advocacy for the return of all remaining artefacts across the world, sensitise the public about the artefacts, and memorialise the restitution of Asanteman’s cultural heritage and cultural property.

Tireless efforts
Speaking at the event, Yvonne said she was inspired by Mr Agyeman- Duah’s tireless efforts to take back what belonged to Asantes from the British. “It triggered something in me. I guess my ancestors were calling that we should not leave it to what we have been able to recoup but tirelessly advocate to get all of it back if we can.”

“As a direct descendant of Nana Yaa Asantewaa of Ejisu, she said she was overjoyed to have successfully negotiated a partnership with the Museum”.

Milestone
Agyeman-Duah said the agreement marks a significant milestone, building on the hard-won successes of Asanteman’s long-standing campaign to reclaim its priceless cultural regalia of antiquity. “We’ve been negotiating for these objects since half a century ago. But luckily last year, we were able to make a breakthrough, and the objects are here at the Museum. It was in the light of this, that we got motivated by Justice and Repair. It is in the light of these that we agreed to go further than just the objects coming home but what we can do about others whether we are talking about restitution or reparation.”

About ATJLF
Established in 2019, the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund is a response to the growing desire for African solutions to African problems rooted in shared experiences. The Fund is part of a larger continental support strategy by the MacArthur  Foundation and WellSpring Philanthropic Fund to promote African-led transitional justice efforts in the region.

Following the adoption of the AU Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP) in 2019, the Fund was established to ensure that the Policy achieves its objectives of putting African communities and countries on the path to sustainable peace, justice, reconciliation, social cohesion, and healing after experiencing mass atrocities.