MONROVIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has proposed a new Liberia-Ghana Cultural Heritage and Historical Recovery Cooperation Framework, calling on both nations to transition their shared commitment to history from declarations into practical, joint action.
The Liberian leader presented the proposal on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, in the United States at a high-level side event co-hosted by Ghana, Germany, and France on the margins of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
President Boakai emphasized that while Liberia and Ghana share deep historical roots, strong cultural ties, and a common Pan-African heritage, there is a clear need to institutionalize this relationship through a structured cooperation framework capable of delivering tangible results.
Under the proposed framework, cultural institutions, museums, archives, universities, and heritage agencies from both countries will collaborate across several key areas. These initiatives include the digitization of historical records and archival materials, joint academic research and exchanges, the preservation and rehabilitation of historical sites and monuments, and the development of joint exhibitions, educational programs, and public awareness campaigns.
“Together and with better understanding, we can move on and achieve more for the benefit of both nations,” President Boakai stated.
The Liberian leader added that the partnership will support joint efforts to identify African cultural materials and artifacts currently held outside the continent, while exploring diplomatic and legal pathways for their potential repatriation.
He noted that Ghana’s established experience in heritage management, museum development, and cultural diplomacy will prove invaluable as Liberia advances its plans to establish a Peace, Reconciliation, and Memorial Museum.
“We are preparing to partner and tap into your experience and develop ours for the benefit of us all, given our long-standing historical records,” he stressed.
President Boakai referenced Liberia’s intentions to preserve significant landmarks, including Providence Island—the landing site of freed slaves—and other historic locations that reflect the nation’s status as Africa’s first independent republic.
The proposal builds upon Liberia’s expanding role in global discussions on reparatory justice, following President Boakai’s participation in the Accra Conference on Reparatory Justice in June 2026 and his subsequent appointment to the Global Advisory Panel on Reparatory Justice.
The side event focused on strengthening international cooperation regarding cultural restitution, historical memory, and reparatory justice—themes that have gained significant traction at this year’s UNGA.
If formally endorsed, the Liberia-Ghana framework is expected to serve as a model for South-South cultural cooperation and contribute significantly to broader continental initiatives aimed at reclaiming, preserving, and celebrating Africa’s historical and cultural heritage.
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