During the Kuntunkuni durbar commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Sargrenti War, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II stated that despite the looting of Asante artefacts and regalia by the British during the war, the Golden Stool of Asanteman remained unscathed.

In 1874, the British engaged in combat with Asanteman and looted artefacts and regalia from the room of the then-Asantehene. 

Speaking at the durbar on Thursday, Otumfuo emphasised that although the British took away 400,000 oz of gold, now estimated to be worth 2 billion pounds, along with regalia and artefacts, they could not lay their hands on the Golden Stool, which is considered the soul of Asanteman.

Otumfuo explained that the Asantehene at the time did not desire conflict, but the British forcibly engaged in war, leading to the looting of artefacts and regalia. 

He expressed joy at the return of some of these items, previously displayed at the California Museum in America, which were officially handed over to him at the durbar.

The six returned artefacts and regalia are set to be displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum.

However, 32 other items displayed in two UK museums, including the British Museum, to be loaned to Asanteman, are yet to be returned.

Otumfuo credited his efforts for the successful return of these items, aiming to educate the current generation about the looting that occurred during the Sargrenti War.

The British Ambassador to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, called for a strengthened relationship between Asanteman and Britain during the durbar.