Can Benin find enough skilled staff for the new museum?

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Benin Faces Challenges in Securing Sufficient Skilled Staff for New Abomey Museum

Benin faces significant hurdles in recruiting and training enough skilled personnel to adequately staff its new museum in Abomey, set to open in 2021. While a new training program has been initiated, the country has previously struggled to find individuals with the necessary scientific expertise for artefact restoration, and a comprehensive legal framework for heritage protection is still pending.
Past Difficulties in Finding Scientific Expertise

A notable challenge highlighted in the preparation for the new museum is the scarcity of individuals with specialized scientific knowledge required for artefact restoration. Four years prior to the article, an attempt by the Quai Branly museum in Paris to train two young Beninese in restoration failed due to the absence of qualified scientists. This situation necessitated sending a history student instead, underscoring a critical skills gap in the scientific and technical fields relevant to museum conservation.
New Training Program Aims to Cultivate Museum Skills

In response to these needs, a new training program has been launched at the School for African Heritage in Porto-Novo. This initiative aims to cultivate a range of skills essential for museum operations, with the first cohort comprising a dozen students aged between 23 and 53. These students reportedly possess prior experience within the cultural sector, indicating a potential pool of motivated individuals for various museum roles.
Legal Framework and Readiness for Artefact Return

Beyond staffing, Benin's readiness for the return of artefacts is contingent on establishing a robust legal framework for heritage protection. Alain Godonou, a former Unesco official, emphasized that such a comprehensive legal structure is still required. While Benin welcomes the return of 26 artefacts from France, the country has cautioned against an overly rapid repatriation, stating the need for time to be "truly ready" to manage and preserve these cultural treasures effectively.

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Can Benin find enough skilled staff for the new museum?

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