Ghanaian President’s Statue Unveiling Sparks Controversy

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is nearing the end of his term, has encountered criticism on social media following the dedication of a statue depicting himself during a visit to the nation’s Western Region. According to Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the region’s minister, the monument aims to commemorate the development projects the president has supervised throughout his time in power. However, numerous Ghanaians have ridiculed its placement – specifically outside a hospital in the city of Sekondi – interpreting it as “self glorification.” Opposition Member of Parliament Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah commented on X, stating, “The people of the Western Region deserve better than these self-serving displays.” President Akufo-Addo, scheduled to conclude his two terms in office in January, has asserted that he has delivered on 80% of his commitments to the Ghanaian populace. He formally presented the monument, conspicuously positioned in front of Sekondi’s Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, on Wednesday as part of his visit, which has been characterized as a “thank-you tour.” During the event, Darko-Mensah, the official responsible for the Western Region, emphasized various significant initiatives launched under the president’s leadership. Nevertheless, the statue has generated considerable disapproval, with some Ghanaians questioning its necessity while several crucial projects are still unfinished. An X user remarked, “It would be admirable if the president had allowed posterity to recognise and appreciate his work.” A segment of the population is advocating for the removal of the statue – images of which have circulated widely online – once the president departs from office. Yet, not all reactions have been negative; some individuals view it as an affirmation of Akufo-Addo’s contributions to national development. One commenter posted, “He is very deserving of this exquisite monument. The greatest president I’ve ever had. You will be missed by Ghanaians,” further noting that Akufo-Addo was the “founder of Ghana’s free education system.” Throughout his tour, the 80-year-old president identified his initiative to eliminate tuition fees for secondary schools as his “most significant legacy.” His presence has also contributed to the nationwide electoral campaign of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). The Western Region, located in the south-west, constitutes one of the country’s 16 regions. The president encouraged residents there to cast their ballots for his deputy, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, in the general election scheduled for next month. Bawumia is set to be the NPP’s candidate, and Akufo-Addo stated that electing him would ensure the continuation of the party’s policies and projects. Bawumia’s primary opponent is expected to be former President John Dramani Mahama, who is aiming for a return to power representing the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The elevated cost of living stands as a principal campaign concern in Ghana, which is Africa’s foremost gold-producing nation.