The Head of the Centre of West African Studies at Birmingham University, Professor Tom McCaskie, has called upon the Asante Kingdom to actively pursue the repatriation of treasures looted from Kumasi in 1874 and 1896.
These treasures, including gold artifacts and gold dust, were taken by the British during two invasions of Kumasi before it was annexed as a colony in the early 1900s.
Despite previous efforts to reclaim the items, Professor McCaskie asserted that more action is needed to compel the British to address the matter.
He emphasized the importance of putting this historical episode behind and fostering Asante unity under the Asantehene while moving forward into the future.
“It is time to put this episode in the past and reassert Asante Unity under the Asantehene and go forward into the future and I encourage Asante to pursue further the matter of restoration of the treasures that were taken in 1874 and 1896.”
Historical accounts indicate that the gold artifacts were taken to Britain and auctioned off to various museums. Notably, those taken during the Sagrenti War are currently housed in institutions such as the Royal Collection in Windsor, the British Museum, the Ehrich Collection in the United States, the Glasgow Arts Gallery, the Royal Scottish Museum, the Scottish United Service Museum, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
While some agreements have been reached with two British Museums for the return of certain items, it remains unsatisfactory as the items are only being loaned to their owners. Professor McCaskie encourages the Asante people to persist in their pursuit with determination.
The historian also highlights the presence of gold dust, worth billions of pounds, taken by the British as part of the booty. This gold, part of a substantial sum kept in Adakakase, Aburaso, and Breman, was bequeathed to Kofi Karikari in 1867.
The gold dust alone in Adakakase, at Kwaku Dua’s death, was valued at over 400,000 ounces, equivalent to 1.2 million pounds sterling in 1867 and presently exceeding 2 billion pounds.
Notably, this particular gold is distinct from cultural artifacts and is considered private loot, prompting Professor McCaskie to stress its separation from the cultural treasures that the Asantehene is striving to recover for Asanteman.