Faith Nyasuguta
Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has faced heavy criticism following the unveiling of his own statue during a recent visit to the Western Region. The statue was presented outside Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi on November 6, 2024, as part of Akufo-Addo’s farewell tour meant to thank Ghanaians and highlight his administration’s achievements.
According to Western Region Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the statue was intended as a tribute to the president’s contributions to regional development. Despite these claims, the move has been met with widespread disapproval. Many Ghanaians see it as a show of self-promotion rather than genuine acknowledgment of progress, sparking intense debate online.
Social media has erupted with reactions, mocking and criticizing the statue as an unnecessary symbol of self-aggrandizement. Opposition MP Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah joined in the backlash, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “The people of the Western Region deserve better than these self-serving displays.” His view resonated with those who argue that President Akufo-Addo’s administration should have prioritized completing unfinished projects instead of commissioning a monument.
Akufo-Addo, who is set to step down in January 2025 after two terms, defended the statue as a representation of his successful leadership, claiming it signifies that 80% of his promises were fulfilled. During the ceremony, Minister Darko-Mensah highlighted some of the president’s key projects, including infrastructure enhancements and social welfare programs. Still, the spotlight remained on the statue itself, overshadowing these achievements and igniting further debate.
The statue’s location, outside a major hospital, also drew criticism, with opponents arguing that funds would have been better allocated to enhancing healthcare services. Photos of the statue quickly circulated, prompting public calls for its removal after Akufo-Addo’s term ends.
However, not everyone condemned the decision. Supporters viewed the statue as an appropriate acknowledgment of a president who has contributed substantially to Ghana’s development. One user praised Akufo-Addo on X, stating, “He is very deserving of this monument. The greatest president I’ve ever had. You will be missed.”
The statue controversy comes amid a tense political climate as Akufo-Addo campaigns for Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate in the upcoming elections. Akufo-Addo has urged the Western Region to support Bawumia, emphasizing that a win for him would ensure the continuation of current government policies and projects.
Bawumia’s main competitor is former President John Dramani Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The election’s focal point is the high cost of living, a pressing issue in Ghana, a top gold-producing nation. Both candidates are positioning themselves as solutions to the country’s economic troubles.
As Ghana prepares for elections, the debate over Akufo-Addo’s statue shows the polarized views of his legacy and hints at the challenges awaiting his successor.
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