Statue of ex-Ghana President Akufo-Addo destroyed

A statue of Ghana’s immediate former president, Nana Akufo-Addo, erected late last year in the country’s Western Region, has been destroyed. The unveiling of the statue in November, which was intended to honor Akufo-Addo’s development initiatives, sparked considerable backlash on social media, with many mocking it as an act of “self-glorification.”

The statue was unveiled as part of a tribute to Akufo-Addo’s contributions during his two-term presidency. However, the public reaction was far from favorable, with many questioning the appropriateness of such a monument, especially given the country’s economic challenges. Critics raised concerns about the use of public funds for the statue at a time when Ghana was grappling with a severe economic crisis.

On Monday, images emerged showing the statue in a destroyed state. The severed head was lying on the ground, and the torso appeared to have been damaged, leaving only the broken pedestal intact. It remains unclear who was responsible for the destruction or what their motives might have been. The local police have yet to issue any official comments regarding the incident.

The statue, which was crafted from a combination of metal, wire mesh, clay, fiberglass, and resin, was created by sculptor Justice Gaisie. Despite the initial enthusiasm around the unveiling, the statue had already been partially vandalized in December, with one of its legs damaged. Some local residents had called for the statue to be taken down, and following the first act of vandalism, the local authorities had promised to repair it.

The statue’s destruction has sparked a range of reactions. Some individuals expressed approval of the act, while others condemned it, suggesting that a more civil approach should have been taken to address the concerns surrounding the monument. One resident told local news outlet Citi FM that the statue was “of no benefit” to the people, adding that its destruction seemed “normal” given the lack of perceived value. Another resident expressed regret over the destruction, advocating for a more respectful, organized means of removing the statue. This individual also warned that such actions could have negative political consequences for supporters of Akufo-Addo’s political party.

Joy FM quoted another local resident who expressed happiness at the statue’s destruction, indicating that there was a segment of the population that viewed it as a symbol of excess or misplaced priorities.

The controversy surrounding the statue was not limited to its destruction. The decision to erect it had been heavily criticized even before it was targeted. Many felt that, at a time when Ghana was experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, such a project was an inappropriate use of public funds. In 2023, the country received a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its economic challenges, including a soaring cost-of-living crisis. The economic situation became a central issue in last month’s presidential election, with voters expressing discontent over the country’s financial troubles.

Former president John Mahama, who won the December election in a landslide, had previously criticized the statue’s installation. He argued that it was up to the people to decide how to honor the former president for his achievements, and he found the statue to be insensitive given the financial hardships that many Ghanaians were facing.

The statue’s destruction highlights the deep divide in Ghanaian society regarding how the former president’s legacy should be recognized. While some view the statue as a fitting tribute to Akufo-Addo’s contributions, others see it as a symbol of political and financial mismanagement. The controversy over the statue reflects broader debates about leadership, public spending, and the distribution of resources in a country struggling with economic difficulties.

In the wake of this incident, it remains to be seen whether the statue will be replaced, whether any legal action will be taken against those responsible for its destruction, and how the political climate will evolve under President Mahama’s leadership. The statue’s fate has become a symbol of the broader tensions in Ghanaian politics, and its destruction has only deepened the divisions over how to commemorate political leaders in a country facing serious challenges.