Obliterate Legal Barriers to Restitution: Ablakwa Urges Global Action Based on U.S President

Speaking at a high-level event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, called on foreign nations to repeal legislation that prevents the return of looted African cultural heritage. Ablakwa argued that African nations deserve the same moral and legal considerations applied to other historical atrocities, stressing that stolen artifacts are far more than museum pieces they represent the soul, identity, and living history of the continent. He urged global leaders to adopt a universal principle of justice that treats the plunder of African artifacts during the colonial era as an ongoing violation that must be rectified regardless of time or ownership status. 

​To reinforce his stance, the Ghanaian Minister cited U.S. legislation enacted under President Donald Trump regarding the restitution of artifacts looted from Jewish communities as a model for African cultural property. Ablakwa pointed out that the American framework mandates the return of Jewish items irrespective of whether they are currently housed in public museums or held by private collectors, and regardless of how many decades have passed. He emphasized that Africa is entitled to this exact legal baseline, urging international partners to dismantle restrictive laws that shield stolen assets under the guise of statutes of limitations or institutional ownership. 

​While acknowledging initial progress and commending nations like France, Germany, and the Netherlands for committing to return thousands of items, Ablakwa noted that broader systemic change is required under the 19 pillars of the Accra Next Steps commitments. Ghana is proactively preparing for these incoming returns by allocating funds in its upcoming budget for a modern national museum infrastructure to house and preserve returned heritage items. By holding the global community to a consistent standard of reparatory justice, Ablakwa reiterated that full accountability requires both the physical return of stolen heritage and the complete removal of legal barriers worldwide.

@Volta Today