The renewed three-year agreement takes effect in April 2027 after British Museum Director Dr Nicholas Cullinan visited Kumasi at the Asantehene's invitation.

Published 10 Nov 2026, 15:59 GMT

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The Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi — Manhyia Palace Museum, Kumasi

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London's British Museum and the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi have renewed their cultural agreement to keep 15 Asante royal regalia artefacts in Ghana for three more years until April 2030.

Announced after British Museum Director Dr Nicholas Cullinan toured the new Manhyia museum complex as a guest of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the renewal takes effect when the initial three-year loan ends in April 2027.

The 15 British Museum artefacts are currently exhibited in Kumasi alongside 17 items from London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and seven permanently returned pieces from California's Fowler Museum under the Homecoming exhibition at Manhyia Palace Museum.

First agreed in January 2024 and opened in May 2024 during the Asantehene's silver jubilee, the joint loan returned 32 royal court treasures to Ghana after roughly 150 years abroad.

Sacred gold and silver objects on display

British forces seized many of the gold and silver works from royal palaces in Kumasi during the 1873–1874 and 1895–1896 Anglo-Asante conflicts, taking regalia that belonged to Asantehene Kofi Karikari and Asantehene Prempeh I.

Because UK legislation prohibits the British Museum and the V&A from permanently deaccessioning collection items, the returned Asante royal regalia came to Kumasi under renewable three-year loan deals.

Highlights among the British Museum's 15 pieces include the 300-year-old Mpomponsuo sword of state and a cast-gold lute-harp ornament (sankuo) that Asantehene Osei Bonsu gifted to British envoy Thomas Bowdich in 1817.

The V&A's 17 objects include a ceremonial gold peace pipe (abua), four cast-gold soulwashers' badges (akrafokonmu), beaten gold throne ornaments, a cast-gold eagle and a gold ring.

Rising visitor numbers and 2027 museum opening

According to the joint partnership announcement, total attendance at the Kumasi museum has doubled over the last two years, while school group visits have nearly quadrupled.

The Asantehene stressed the value of keeping the works accessible to Ghanaians, especially children, so they can study the artistry of their ancestors and understand their cultural history.

Dr Cullinan said the renewed pact covered joint research and knowledge exchange alongside object loans, while Manhyia Palace Museum Director Ivor Agyeman-Duah noted that the new Manhyia Arts and Culture Museum is scheduled to open on January 8, 2027.

The V&A is also expected to extend its loan of the 17 Asante artefacts under its Renewable Cultural Partnership.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

British Museum extends loan of 15 Asante royal regalia items in Ghana until 2030

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