Ghana continues to fulfil her promise to the African diaspora as part of the mandate of her call to them to return to the continent of Africa, with the granting last Tuesday, November 19, of Ghanaian citizenship to 524 members of the African diaspora. It was a watershed moment in the country’s effort to build a bridge between Africa and her diaspora.
Asante Kingdom commemorates centenary of Seychelles exile return, receives more “displaced” artifacts
Twenty eight more gold ornaments and regalia dated to the nineteenth century creations of royal artisans of Asante Court have been added to the 35 pieces of looted artefacts returned to the Manhyia Palace earlier this year by the Victoria & Albert and British Museums.
Originally part of the Collection of African Gold of the AngloGold Ashanti in South Africa, the Asantehene made a direct invention earlier this year to the multinational company (formerly Ashanti Goldfields) which led to an agreement of deaccession.
The returned pieces, including a linguist staff, swords, palace security locks, rings and necklaces, proverbial gold-weights of crocodiles and gold scandals, will add to the exciting collection of artifacts already on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi. The objects are a reflection of traditional Akan court governance structure and chiefship.
The first batch were looted artefacts taken by the British over 150 years ago during the Sagrenti War. They were preserved at The Fowler Museum in Los Angeles, and included ornaments, jewellery, talismans and other treasures.
The Victoria & Albert and the British Museum have also returned artefacts such as a gold peace pipe, a sword of state and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.
The return of the items coincides with the commemoration of the centenary of the return from exile in the Seychelles of the 13th Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I, grand-uncle of the current King, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
They will be added to the display at the Manyia Palace Museum, which tells the narrative of the great history of the Ashanti people. It’s a great place to learn about the struggles of the forefathers of one of Africa’s oldest kingdoms.
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Consummate hotelier John Madison, believer in “making a difference”, having turned around establishments he has touched since his sorjourn in Ghana from Oak Plaza to Central Hotel, is now Head of the Ghana Chapter of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – the International Association of Gastronomy established in over 75 countries and bringing together enthusiasts who share in the values of quality, appreciation of fine cuisine, pleasures of fine dining and all things uplifting the culinary industry.
