President Mahama Urges Global Investment in Africa’s Cultural Infrastructure
President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, global foundations and private sector partners to make deliberate investments in Africa’s cultural infrastructure as part of the continent’s reparatory justice agenda.
He made the appeal during his address at a high-level side event on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.
The President said museums, archives, conservation laboratories and digitisation initiatives deserve the same strategic attention as other development priorities.
He argued that preserving Africa’s cultural heritage requires sustained financial commitment alongside the return of looted artefacts.
“Where gaps in technology, digitization or conservation exist, the solution is simple: invest in them through genuine multilateral partnerships,” President Mahama said.
The President identified regional archives, conservation laboratories, digital preservation systems and professional training for African curators and historians as critical areas requiring international support.
He said these investments would strengthen Africa’s ability to preserve returning cultural property while creating opportunities for education, research and innovation.
President Mahama revealed that Ghana is already constructing a modern national and traditional institution designed to preserve, research and exhibit repatriated cultural treasures.
He added that the initiative complements the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision of establishing the Great African Museum as a continental repository for African heritage.
The President stressed that cultural infrastructure should not be viewed as a luxury sector reserved for wealthy nations.
Instead, he said heritage contributes directly to economic growth by supporting tourism, expanding creative industries and strengthening national identity.
According to him, the preservation of historical collections also provides educational opportunities for young Africans to learn about the achievements of their ancestors beyond the narratives of slavery and colonialism.
President Mahama said future generations deserve access to authentic evidence of Africa’s civilizations within their own continent rather than exclusively through overseas institutions.
He therefore urged development partners to integrate cultural infrastructure into broader financing frameworks for sustainable development across Africa.
The appeal forms part of Ghana’s Accra Next Steps initiative, which seeks practical implementation of global commitments on reparatory justice following the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on the restitution of cultural property.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
