The Manhyia Palace Museum has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) following the return of several Asante artefacts from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The signing ceremony took place on March 25, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, led by Museum Director Dr. Ivor Agyeman-Duah and MacArthur Senior Program Officer Yvonne Darkwah Poku.
The agreement outlines a joint effort to advocate tirelessly for the return of all remaining artefacts worldwide, raise public awareness about the cultural significance of these artefacts, and commemorate the restitution of Asanteman’s cultural heritage.
Yvonne expressed her admiration for Dr. Agyeman-Duah’s dedicated efforts to recover the Asante artefacts from the British. “It triggered something in me,” she said. “My ancestors seemed to call on me to ensure that we don’t stop at what we’ve already managed to recover but continue to push for the return of all of it.”
As a first step, Yvonne engaged her Executive Council members to collaborate with the Museum on educational initiatives, memorialisation, and advocacy campaigns. “We need to educate people about the artefacts that have been returned. Many may not know their significance or even what they look like. Our goal is to create a comprehensive record of what we have, what remains to be returned, and to elevate the restitution of cultural property within the broader reparations movement.”
Yvonne, a direct descendant of Nana Yaa Asantewaa of Ejisu, shared her pride in helping establish the partnership with the Museum. “As a daughter of Asanteland and a direct descendant of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, it brings me immense pride to be here today, involved in this important work.”
Dr. Agyeman-Duah highlighted the significance of the MoU, emphasizing that it represents a major milestone in the long-running campaign by Asanteman to reclaim its cultural treasures. “We’ve been negotiating for these artefacts for over fifty years, and last year we made a breakthrough. The artefacts are now in the Museum. This success has inspired us to continue advocating for restitution and reparation, going beyond just the return of the artefacts.”
Among those accompanying Yvonne were Kim Harold, Emmanuel Ayola, Andreas Robinson, Kimberly Collins, Nana Sarpong, Michael Harvey, and Godfery Adongo.
In February 2024, the Asante Kingdom received seven artefacts from the Fowler Museum in the United States. This was followed by the return of 32 artefacts loaned by the original looter after 150 years. In November 2024, 28 gold artefacts were returned by AngloGold Ashanti, bringing the total number of restituted Asante artefacts from British colonial loot to 67.
The Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF), established in 2019, was created to address African challenges with African solutions, grounded in shared experiences. It is part of a broader continental strategy supported by the MacArthur Foundation and WellSpring Philanthropic Fund to promote African-led transitional justice efforts. Following the adoption of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy in 2019, the Fund aims to support sustainable peace, justice, reconciliation, social cohesion, and healing in African communities affected by mass atrocities.
