Christian Wulff Supports Advancements In The Return Of African Artifacts

His Excellency Christian Wilhelm Walter Wulff, the former president of Germany, has emphasized the value of reparations as a means of fostering mutual respect, trust, and understanding between Germany and Africa.

While attending the inauguration of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as Ghana’s new president, he recently visited the Maria Sibylla Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA) at the University of Ghana.

In order to learn more about the Institute’s operations and how they contribute to Ghana-German collaborations, Wulff also spoke with the team members and leadership.

H.E. Wulff discussed the historical injustices related to the expropriation of African cultural artifacts and emphasized the necessity of working together to resolve these issues.

According to H.E. Wulff:

“Efforts have been made to identify items taken to Germany and collaborative steps are being taken with stakeholders to ensure their rightful return.”

The former President expressed concern about the slow pace of discussions regarding the return of stolen artifacts, describing them as “stalling.” He promised to collaborate with interested parties to expedite the procedure and find answers, such as setting up areas where returned artifacts can be conserved and put to good use.

Wulff asserts that although past errors cannot be corrected, intentional actions toward restitution can lead to advancement.

Speaking on the restitution-related issues, Prof. Kodzo Gavua, Associate Professor of Archaeology and Heritage Studies and Chair of the Ghana Focal Team on Restitution and Reparation, provided detailed insights into MIASA’s restitution efforts. He cited a three-month intensive study that included scoping visits to Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, engaging traditional rulers, including those in Kpando.

“The case of Kpando is unique due to the removal of artifacts to Germany,” Prof. Gavua noted. “Efforts to return these items have been slow, to avoid contestations and ensure a thoughtful approach to restitution.”

A workshop on African restitution that brought together academics from all over the continent to talk about what to do after restitution was also highlighted by Prof. Gavua. He emphasized that “restitution is a matter of trust, respect, and understanding” and urged further discussion and cooperation.

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The former president was accompanied by Ms. Pauline Okkens, the German Embassy’s Protocol Officer and Political Advisor; Ms. Sivine Jansen, the Deputy German Ambassador to Ghana; and Ms. Livia Puglisi, the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Former German President.

Present at the meeting from the MIASA team were Dr. Gertrude Aba Mansah Eyifa-Dzidzienyo from the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies and a member of MIASA IFG 5; Dr. Agnes Schneider-Musah, Academic Coordinator of MIASA at the University of Ghana and Mr. George Amexo, Event Manager of MIASA at the University of Ghana.

Credit: University of Ghana