Buea: ORA rallies stakeholders to discuss African material heritage restitution.

The workshop which took place recently was under the movement: “Restitution 101: A History of Theft”.

Officials said at the workshop that the goal remains to expose the rich African and particularly Cameroon artifact in foreign lands. 

Participants included lecturers, cultural enthusiasts, activists and students. Deliberations focused on three aspects viz; history of theft, history of demand, and history of excuses. 

Dr Ngome Elvis Nkome of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management in the Higher Teachers Technical Training College, HTTTC Kumba, and the Department of History and African Civilization in the University of Buea, championed exchanges. 

Discussions revealed that over 400,000 material cultures belonging Africa and 27,000 from Cameroon are being used for tourism in German and European museums.

Government’s position and involvement in the push for repatriation of material cultures was also discussed. 

Participants cited examples from Namibia, Kenya, and Tanzania where governments have made strides in recovering such materials.

According to Dr Ngome, “conversations around this topic are very important and will help to reshape the curriculum in African universities”. He emphasized the role of the government in reinstating the material goods from foreign museums.

“Before 2022, the government was not very active in pushing for the restitution of Cameroon cultural goods,” he said, but noted that awareness and action on the issue have gained momentum.

Experts laud drive

Experts in different fields spanning communication, culture, psychology, anthropology, and history who sat through exchanges lauded the push.  One of them, Dr. Ndode Stephen, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Buea, saluted efforts made by Open Restitution Africa.

Dr Ndode said it remains vital to revitalize the rich cultural heritage of the people of Africa and Cameroon. The media consultant and researcher said there is need to foster restitution in the domains of research, collaboration and advocacy.

The scholar said “from the different educative and informative episodes we have watched on the histories of theft, demand and excuses, I see the need for collaborative research that will create more awareness on the importance of restitution”. He also singled out the need for media advocacy.

Dr Ndode also remarked that material cultures will boost tourism and the economic viability of concerned countries.

On his part, Dr. Victor Ntui of the Department of History in the University of Buea asserted that: “Restitution 101 has come to boost what historians have been doing in the past”. 

He revealed that historians are more concerned with decolonial philosophy, adding that restitution 101 is a part of that venture. 

Dr Ntui equally added that: “Restitution 101 is coming as an eye-opener to show that our history, buried in arts and artifacts, needs to be made known for posterity”.

Munang Hilda, student of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication praised the inputs of experts.

She shared the view that the discourse on restitution of Africa and Cameroon cultural goods will give a positive view of African cultural heritage and the need to preserve it.

By Cyprain Bekali

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3632 of Friday November 21, 2025