Prince Allen Ellison Secures Return of Two African Artifacts to Ghanaian Kingdoms After Researcher Discovery

Accra, Ghana — May 26, 2025 — In a landmark moment for African heritage preservation, His Royal Majesty Prince Allen Ellison has successfully secured the return of two culturally significant artifacts to Ghana: a sacred Akan stool and a rare Ashanti fertility doll. The items, long thought lost to the tides of colonial history, will be returned to their rightful homes in time for Prince Ellison’s enstoolment as King in Adukrom, Eastern Region.

The artifacts came to light after U.S.-based researcher Candice Ruh stumbled upon them in private collections just a week apart. Her discovery was prompted by an article she read titled “Prince Allen Ellison Applauds Efforts to Preserve and Return Nok Artifacts, Calls for Broader Repatriation of African Heritage.” Deeply moved by the prince’s advocacy for cultural restitution, Ruh reached out directly to Prince Ellison, sharing the details of her findings.

“These objects clearly held weight far beyond their aesthetic value,” Ruh stated. “Once I read about Prince Allen’s passion for repatriation and his ancestral ties to the region, I knew he was the one to contact.”

Upon review, Prince Ellison immediately identified the artifacts as historically belonging to royal lineages in Ghana. The Akan stool, a sacred symbol of leadership and ancestral authority, and the Ashanti fertility doll, believed to carry spiritual blessings for women and families, both hold immense traditional value. He traced their origins to Kingdoms directly connected to the region where he is soon to be enstooled.

“In the great Kingdoms of Ghana—among the Ashanti, Akyem, Akwamu, Akuapem, and other Akan peoples—the stool is not just an artifact; it is the soul of the nation itself,” said Prince Allen Ellison. “To sit on the stool is to inherit not only leadership but the sacred trust of the ancestors and the people. It symbolizes kingship, legitimacy, and the spiritual bond between past, present, and future. These stools house the spirits of those who came before us; they are revered in life and honored in death. They preside over ceremonies, protect the land, and define our very identity. When a stool is taken, a part of the kingdom’s essence is stripped away. To return it is to restore wholeness, dignity, and sovereignty. These are not trophies of history—they are living testaments of a people’s power, memory, and divine right to self-determination.”

The two pieces will be formally reintroduced to the Kingdom during Prince Ellison’s Grand Coronation Ceremony scheduled for August 29–31, 2025. The artifacts will be displayed at a royal cultural exhibition organized by the Royal Family of Africa, symbolizing not only their physical return but also a spiritual homecoming for the continent.

This act of cultural restoration marks a significant step in Prince Ellison’s broader efforts to champion the repatriation of African heritage. As the Mpuntuhene of Adukrom and incoming King, he has called for global cooperation in identifying, preserving, and returning artifacts displaced during colonial expansion.

As the world turns its eyes to Ghana this August, the return of these artifacts—once forgotten in private vaults—will shine as a beacon of cultural justice, heritage renewal, and royal continuity.

For media inquiries or to request interviews with His Royal Majesty Prince Allen Ellison or researcher Candice Ruh, please contact:

Office of Royal Communications
The Royal Family of Africa
Email: press@adukromkingdom.com