A statue of Ghana’s former President Nana Akufo-Addo, unveiled in November 2024 in the Western Region, has been destroyed.
The statue, located outside the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi, was found with its head severed and lying on the ground, while its torso and pedestal were also severely damaged.
The statue had been commissioned to honor Akufo-Addo’s development initiatives, but it had faced significant criticism from many Ghanaians who viewed it as an act of “self-glorification,” particularly in light of the country’s ongoing economic struggles. Local media outlets published images of the damaged statue on Monday, sparking a wave of discussion. The motive behind the destruction remains unclear, and the police have not yet made any statements regarding the incident.
In response to the destruction, a local resident told Citi FM that the statue had provided no benefit to the people, suggesting that its destruction was a “normal” occurrence. Another resident expressed regret, stating that the statue should have been removed in a more civil manner, and warned that the act could have negative repercussions for the former president’s party supporters.
The statue’s sculptor, Justice Gaisie, had previously described it as being made of metal, wire mesh, clay, fiberglass, and resin. The statue had already been partially vandalized in December 2024, with one of its legs damaged.
The construction of the statue had sparked controversy, with critics questioning the use of public funds for its creation, especially as Ghana was grappling with significant economic hardships. In 2024, the country secured a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund to address its worst economic crisis in decades. Former President John Mahama, who defeated Akufo-Addo’s party in the December 2024 election, had also criticized the statue, calling it insensitive to the struggles of ordinary Ghanaians and stating that it should be up to the people to decide how to honor the former president’s achievements.