A comprehensive training program has been conducted for 30 lawyers from the 15 member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The objective of this training was to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills pertaining to the restitution and repatriation of stolen cultural items from West Africa.
Over the course of five days, a workshop was organized, enabling the establishment of a database and the accumulation of expertise in the domain of cultural property restitution among the member states.
This workshop served as a platform to share valuable insights, techniques, and protocols for the effective recovery of cultural artifacts.
Additionally, the workshop facilitated the development of a protocol outlining the procedures, steps, and tools to be employed for the restitution of cultural property.
This protocol has been made accessible to all member states, serving as a practical resource for future cultural property restitution endeavors.
Dubbed; ‘Capacity building of member states lawyers on restitution procedures and review of the ECOWAS Action Plan on the return of cultural property to their countries of origin,’ the programme was held in Accra on Friday.
During the training, Mr. Mark Okraku-Mantey, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MoTAC), delivered a speech through Mr. John Agbeko, the Chief Director of MoTAC.
In his address, Mr. Okraku-Mantey emphasized the significance of the training program and highlighted the exploration of principles related to restitution and reparation. He recognized these principles as essential steps in acknowledging past wrongs, rectifying historical injustices, and rebuilding the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Mr. Okraku-Mantey further stressed the importance of member countries fully implementing the ECOWAS Action Plan 2019-2023 on the restitution of cultural property to its countries of origin.
He emphasized the need for unified efforts among member countries, stating that it is crucial for all countries to move in the same direction in order to achieve this common goal.
Mr. Okraku-Mantey expressed his deep appreciation for the participants’ unwavering dedication to the repatriation of stolen cultural items back to Africa and their active involvement in the workshop.
He commended them for their commitment, acknowledging that their efforts in this important cause are truly praiseworthy.
He extended his gratitude for the invaluable contributions each participant has made, recognizing the significance of their input in advancing the goals of cultural heritage preservation and restitution.
Highlighting some of the challenges faced member states, he said “our biggest challenge is taking inventory of our stolen items, ratification of various conventions dealing with reparation and restitution, as well as, the implementation of existing laws in reparation and restitution.”