‘Why keep laws protecting illegality?’ – Otumfuo quizzes British government on looted artefacts

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has reinforced calls for the British to return looted artefacts to its original owners.

According to him, it is also concerning that the British government will still keep laws protecting illegality in its statute books.

This comes after the United Kingdom recently loaned Manhyia Palace some 32 looted artefacts by British forces during the colonial era.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Asante Culture and Heritage: Past and Present’ in the UK, the Asantehene argued that it is long overdue for such laws to be reviewed.

“All of us are victims of a system in need of an update. We are either victims of a system that denies us justice or victims of a system that prevents us from administering justice and doing what we know to be the right thing. From both sides, we need to sincerely appeal to our conscience, because nobody disputes the fact that much of the cultural objects were obtained through illegal and unethical circumstances. Can anyone in good conscience sustain the enactment of a law to protect illegality?” he stressed.

He added that the return of looted artefacts has revived a new sense of pride in the Asante heritage and the creativity of young artists.

“The return is being celebrated at one level with the same reverence as heroes of a state returning from enforced exile, and at another level as marking the spiritual re-connection with lost souls. Critically for me, it has stirred among the youth not just a new model of self-believing confidence in their heritage but an inspiration to thrive to add to that heritage of creativity and innovation.”

The Asantehene also revealed that engagement for the restitution of looted artefacts dates backs 50 years.

Read also: Looted and returned: Asante royal artefacts on display for public viewing at Manhyia Museum
“My brother, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II who succeeded our uncle, Osei Agyemang Prempeh II continued with this quest and even held a major exhibition in collaboration with the British museum in 1982. That formal cooperation with this museum as inherited correspondences show, has been on for 50 years and the ultimate issue of the return of objects has danced around some other forms of cultural cooperation until recently,” he explained.