President John Dramani Mahama has called for a decisive global shift from acknowledging the loss of Africa’s cultural heritage to taking concrete action to secure its return.
Speaking at a high-level side event on the return and restitution of cultural property and heritage on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mahama said Africa’s cultural treasures are not merely objects in museums but living links to the continent’s history, identity and dignity.
Mahama outlined Ghana’s “Next Steps” agenda, which is anchored on institutionalising restitution, strengthening Africa’s capacity to preserve returning heritage and recognising cultural heritage as an engine for education, tourism, identity and creative-sector development.
“The story of Africa’s cultural heritage cannot end with its removal. It must continue with its return,” Mahama said.
The president’s call places the return of cultural property within a broader framework that links heritage to education, tourism, identity and the development of the creative sector.
Mahama also stressed the importance of ensuring that Africa has the capacity to preserve cultural heritage that is returned to the continent, making investment in cultural infrastructure a key part of Ghana’s proposed agenda.
The discussions in New York renewed attention on the need for permanent mechanisms to support restitution and the return of cultural property, alongside calls for the unconditional return of human remains.
Ghana’s “Next Steps” agenda seeks to move the conversation from recognition of the loss of African heritage toward concrete measures for its return and preservation.
The event was co-hosted by Ghana, France and Germany and focused on the need for permanent, institutionalised mechanisms for restitution, greater investment in Africa’s cultural infrastructure and the unconditional return of human remains.
