An American museum returned to Ghana the objects looted by the British 150 years ago

Seven items that were taken from what is now Ghana by the British colonial authorities 150 years ago, and kept in an American museum, were returned to that country at a ceremony today in the capital, Accra.

These are the latest in a series of recoveries of valuables stolen from African countries.

Among the objects looted by the British in the 19th century, and since the 1960s in the Fowler Museum of the University of California, Los Angeles, are considered symbols of prestige and respect for the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Ashante, which before British colonization ruled most of present-day Ghana.

They are a decorative chair made of wood, leather and iron, two golden chair ornaments, a golden necklace and two bracelets, and the ruling house. All seven objects were returned "unconditionally and permanently" - the Museum announced.

The royal artefacts were unveiled to the public on Monday, the 150th anniversary of the British sack of Ashanta in 1874. At the time, four objects were taken and the other three were part of the reparations the Ashante kingdom had to pay to the British, the museum said.

The repatriation of the items to Ghana "signifies the return of our souls," said activist Kwasi Ampene, who helped negotiate the return.

Resistance from Western governments and museums to requests from African countries to return the items has eased and more items are being returned to their original homes, but activists say thousands of other valuables are out of reach of the public.