Backlash In Ghana As President Akufo-Addo Unveils Statue Of Himself Amid Mixed Reactions
Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo is under public scrutiny after unveiling a statue of himself in the Western Region, sparking a wave of criticism and debate on social media.
The statue, intended to honor the president’s contributions to national development, stands prominently outside the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi.
Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Region’s minister, stated the monument celebrates the infrastructure and development projects championed by Akufo-Addo during his time in office.
However, opposition voices, including MP Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, have condemned the statue as “self-glorification,” with many citizens echoing that sentiment online.
The president, who will step down in January after two terms, revealed the statue during his “thank-you tour” and highlighted achievements such as the free secondary education policy, which he called his “most significant legacy.”
Photos of the statue have gone viral, with some Ghanaians demanding its removal post-Akufo-Addo’s tenure, arguing it is an unnecessary display when numerous projects remain unfinished.
Despite the criticism, some Ghanaians support the statue as a fitting tribute to the president’s impact.
The president’s tour coincides with the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) campaign efforts for the upcoming election, where Akufo-Addo has endorsed Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia as his successor.
Bawumia will face former President John Dramani Mahama, who is running under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with key issues like high living costs driving voter concerns in the lead-up to the election.
