A total of 30 lawyers from the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been trained on the restitution and repatriation of stolen cultural items from West Africa.
The five day workshop provided the opportunity for the creation of a database and a capital of expertise in the field of restitution of cultural properties in the member states.
It also made available to member states a protocol on the procedures, steps and tools for the restitution of cultural property actions.
Dubbed; ‘Capacity building of member states lawyers on restitution procedures and review of the ECOWAS Action Plan on the return of cultural property to their countries of origin,’ the programme was held in Accra on Friday.
The Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey in a speech read on his behalf by the Chief Director of MoTAC, Mr John Agbeko said the training had explored the principles of restitution and reparation, recognising them as vital steps towards acknowledging past wrongs, rectifying historical injustices and rebuilding our cultural legacy.
He underscored the importance for member countries to fully implement the ECOWAS Action Plan 2019-2023 on the restitution of cultural property to its countries of origin by holding countries as “we need to move in the same direction to be able to achieve the goal.”
Mr Okraku-Mantey commended the participants for their commitment towards the repatriation of stolen cultural items back to Africa and participation in the workshop saying that “your commitment to this important cause is truly commendable and I am thankful for the invaluable contributions each one of you has made.”
Highlighting some of the challenges faced member states, he said “our biggest challenge is taking inventory of our stolen items, ratification of various conventions dealing with reparation and restitution, as well as, the implementation of existing laws in reparation and restitution.”
The deputy minister pledged his outfits support towards restitution and repatriation as the MOTAC, and the government would work tirelessly to establish strong legal frameworks, foster international collaborations and advocate for the return of the country’s stolen treasures.
The Deputy Chairman of the Expert Committee on Restitution of stolen goods from Africa, Mrs Abla Dzifa Gomashie, said the stolen cultural artifacts were a key part of the African heritage, hence the need to ensure all items are returned to the rightful countries.
Reminiscing on the return of some of the stolen goods of Benin from France last year, she said an overwhelming number of Beninese stormed the streets to witness the return of the items.
A sight she described as euphoric, hence the need to speed up restitution and reparation processes for Africans to be able to reconnect with their cultural heritage and in turn promote local tourism.
She stressed the need for Ghana to invest in the promotion of their cultural heritage as the Western world was not only interested in the safaris, adding that “before we achieve the Africa we want, we must first identify with the past so the future can be bright.”
The Director of legal services for the National Commission of Museums and Monuments in Nigeria, Barrister Babatunde Adeyemi said Nigeria had made significant headway in the repatriation of its stolen artifacts, however more could be done.
He urged the other member states to take inspiration from the works of Nigeria whilst underscoring the importance of the workshop as it would build the capacity of lawyers to ensure all stolen artifacts are returned to their countries.
BY JESSEL LARTEY THERSON-COFIE
