Germany and Netherlands to Return 2,000 Artifacts to Ghana After Colonial Era

Germany and the Netherlands have agreed to return 2,000 culturally significant artifacts to Ghana, which were taken during the colonial era. This announcement was made on July 8 at the Next Steps conference held in Accra, Ghana, aimed at creating actionable commitments following the UN's declaration of the trafficking of enslaved Africans as a grave crime against humanity.

Details of the Artifact Return

According to Radio France, the artifacts include ceremonial objects and traditional regalia currently held in German and Dutch museums and private collections. The return will occur in phases, with further consultations between Ghanaian and European authorities planned.

During the conference, Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama welcomed ambassadors from both countries, who presented a catalogue of the items to be returned. However, specifics about the artifacts' types and their current locations were not disclosed.

Context of the Next Steps Conference

The Next Steps conference was organized in response to the United Nations resolution issued on March 25, 2026, which condemned the trafficking of enslaved Africans. The conference aimed to establish a common framework for a just and equitable world order.

In a Facebook post, Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa noted the significance of this initiative, stating, "Details on the timeline for the physical return of the artifacts are expected to be announced in due course." Additionally, he mentioned that the foreign minister of Denmark apologized for the country’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Efforts to Return Artifacts to Africa

This move is part of a broader trend of European nations returning artifacts looted during the colonial era. In 2024, an exhibition at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi highlighted objects related to Asante culture that were recently returned to Ghana.

Furthermore, the Netherlands has been active in returning artifacts to Africa, including an agreement made in 2025 to return 113 Benin bronzes to Nigeria and a 3,500-year-old Pharaonic bust to Egypt following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza.