APPG AFRICAN REPARATIONS
UK Reparations ConferencE “Charting a Pathway to Reparative Justice”
20 OCtober 2023, LONDON
NOSTOS Strategies attended the inaugural conference of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR) on Charting a Pathway to Reparative Justice. The APPG-AR brings together parliamentarians, campaigners, communities and other stakeholders to examine issues of African reparations and the restitution of cultural artefacts and ancestral remains.
Of particular interest was the session Restitution: Righting Historical Wrongs, which centred on the imperative need for the return of stolen artefacts, treasures, human remains, and involved a discussion on the legislative barriers hindering their repatriation. The session was convened by Onyekachi Wambu, an Associate in Special Projects at AFFORD, and keynote speakers included Dr Etienne Joseph (Decolonizing the Archive) and Dr Monica Hanna (Acting Dean of the College of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in Egypt).
Egypt — Dr Hanna introduced the Repatriate Rashid campaign, which aims to collect signatures in support of an official request by the Egyptian Prime Minister for the return of the Rosetta Stone. Dr Hanna emphasised the significance of the campaign, not only as a cultural endeavour but also as a catalyst for economic planning — the return of the Rosetta Stone would play a pivotal role in the 5-year heritage plan for the management of the city of Rashid.
Ghana — Onyekachi Wambu of AFFORD spoke about the importance of the heritage tourism industry in Ghana. Over the past four decades, Ghana had been working to develop a tourism industry, but its progress had been hindered by competing attractions in other African regions. In 2019, Ghana embarked on a new approach by targeting the African diaspora as a key demographic. This strategic shift saw a significant and almost overnight success, attracting 1.5 million visitors. This phenomenon sparked the growth of a thriving heritage tourism industry in Ghana, which has not only provided a substantial boost to the Ghanaian economy but has transformed the capital city of Accra.
A significant challenge does remain, however, as many Ghanaians yearn to delve deeper into the culture and history they have encountered during their journey, only to find local museums lacking in significant artefacts and historical items, which are often housed in international museums, particularly in the United Kingdom. The return of these artefacts is crucial for Ghana to better comprehend its history and heritage, and could potentially serve as the cornerstone for the development of a heritage museum in the country. According to Onyekachi Wambu, Ghana’s commitment to repatriate and display its cultural heritage will undoubtedly bolster its reputation as a cultural and heritage tourism destination.
Nigeria — Representative Carol Ammons, Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives, raised the recent return of the Benin Bronzes to the Oba of Benin from the perspective of the Nigerian diaspora in the United States. This raised important questions about how to navigate the complex historical and cultural connections between Africa and its diaspora. Co-ownership was explored as a potential solution to address these relationships, underscoring the need for cooperation and shared responsibility in the preservation and understanding of cultural heritage.
The Summary Report of the APPG hearings on Afrikan Reparations on Restitution of Stolen African Artefacts and Ancestral Remains was published this month and can be accessed here.