UK museums temporarily returned stolen 19th-century Asante treasures back to Ghana.
In a significant cultural restoration, 32 royal Asante artifacts were returned to Ghana on a long-term loan. The treasures, which were stolen during the colonial era, include gold and silver regalia from the Asante royal court.
The return was negotiated directly by the Asante people's ruler, Otumfo Osei Tutu II, bypassing the government.
The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum collaborated on the transfer, allowing the items to be showcased at the Palace Museum in Kumasi. British law prohibits the British Museum from permanently returning items from its collection.
In January, treasures of Ethiopia's Emperor Tewodros II stolen in 1868 by the British Empire were returned to the East African nation, the country's foreign ministry revealed. Among the returned items were a lock of hair from Prince Alemayehu Tewodros, who was forcefully brought with his mother to the United Kingdom, where he died at the age of 18.