Accra (Greater Accra) 14 Mar. 2000
Following the issuance of a list of exempted items by the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC), the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) has withdrawn its personnel posted at the country’s exit points to inspect permits on artefacts being exported.
This is because the items listed by the GEPC are the same as those the GMMB was expected to inspect.
The GEPC issued the list with the reason that the demand for permits on such items was discouraging international trade.
Mr Joe Gazari, Principal Curator, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday that the measure has affected the Museum's financial base because fewer people now apply for permits.
The GMMB is the sole authority that issues permits for the export of artefacts, including archaeological findings and this was one of its major sources of revenue.
Most of such items include carvings, jewellery and clothing, and bear historic and spiritual significance to families, communities and stools.
Mr Gazari said the situation is also affecting the GMMB stock of antique collections since dealers are
now free to export items, including rare artefacts some of which are important to Ghana's cultural heritage, without contacting the GMMB.
Local antique collectors have voiced similar concerns warning of a time when Ghana would be compelled to borrow aspects of its culture from other countries.
Signatories to the International Convention on the Export of Antiques are bound to confiscate and return items that are not covered by valid permits but that is not helping the situation since a lot of countries have not signed up.
Mr Gazari said the GMMB is to revive its monthly museum lectures and the publication of occasional bulletins on research findings, both of which were stopped in the 1970s.
The measures, currently being considered by the Board, are expected to take off later this year as a boost to the activities of the GMMB and to encourage more people to patronise its facilities.
Mr Gazari said the museum has taken stock of new collections, mostly antiques, the history of which are being studied before they would be showcased, adding that some exhibits have been changed to arouse public interest.
He expressed regret that the authorities, including ministers, do not patronise the museums which embody the country's culture, a practice common in developed countries where museums are some of the few places visiting VIPs are sent.
GRi../