Mahama: Human Remains Not Museum Collectibles Or Specimens
President John Dramani Mahama has declared that human remains are not collectibles or specimens to be kept in museums, calling for dignity, respect and repatriation of ancestral remains held in foreign institutions. He made the statement during a high level engagement on heritage and restitution, stressing that such remains represent people, history and identity.
According to President Mahama, museums and institutions that continue to hold human remains as curiosities must reconsider their ethical position and work with African nations to return them for proper burial and cultural restoration. He noted that the conversation goes beyond artefacts to human dignity and justice for communities whose ancestors were taken during colonial and exploitative periods.
The President said Ghana will support continental advocacy for restitution that includes both cultural objects and human remains, adding that respectful handling of such sensitive heritage is central to healing and historical accountability. His remarks have renewed public discussion on repatriation policies and the role of museums in acknowledging painful pasts.
Ghana cultural heritage management is guided by the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board which oversees preservation of historical sites and artefacts under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. This institutional framework mirrors other structured national systems such as CSSPS which coordinates transparent computerised school placement for BECE graduates, WASSCE grading from A1 to F9 that determines tertiary entry, Free SHS policy that absorbs tuition and boarding costs, Energy Commission licensing that certifies professional electricians, and Minerals and Mining Act that criminalizes Galamsey to protect water bodies and forests.
The statement aligns with growing global calls for decolonization of museums in Europe and America where many African human remains and sacred objects are still stored. Experts say repatriation will require diplomatic cooperation, documented provenance and community led reburial processes to ensure closure.
President Mahama emphasized that Africa must not allow its ancestors to be treated as specimens while demanding that the continent voice be respected in international cultural negotiations. The message is expected to influence ongoing discussions at UNESCO and African Union heritage forums.
Source: #Howedey.com
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Author: Korkor Anumu
