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Why London's loaning back Ghana's looted 'crown jewels'

The UK is sending some of Ghana's "crown jewels" back home, 150 years after looting them from the court of the Asante king.

A gold peace pipe is among 32 items returning under long-term loan deals. The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) is lending 17 pieces and 15 are from the British Museum.

Some UK museums are banned by law from permanently giving back contested items in their collections, and loan deals such as this are seen as a way to allow objects to return to their countries of origin.

Ghana's chief negotiator said he hoped for "a new sense of cultural co-operation" after generations of anger. But some countries laying claim to disputed artefacts fear that loans may be used to imply they accept the UK's ownership.

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