A statue of Ghana’s former President Nana Akufo-Addo, unveiled in November 2024 in the Western Region, has been destroyed.
The damaged statue was found with its head severed and lying on the ground, while its torso and pedestal were also in ruins.
The statue, installed outside Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi, had been commissioned in honor of Akufo-Addo’s development initiatives. However, it had drawn criticism from many Ghanaians who described it as “self-glorification,” especially given the country’s economic struggles.
Local media shared images of the destroyed statue on Monday, sparking widespread discussion. While the motive behind the act remains unknown, the police have not commented on the incident.
A resident told Citi FM, “It was of no benefit to the people, so if it’s destroyed, it’s normal.” Another, however, expressed regret over the incident, saying, “There should have been a proper, civil way to get it removed. This action might have negative consequences for supporters of the former president’s party.”
Justice Gaisie, the sculptor, had previously described the statue as a mix of metal, wire mesh, clay, fiberglass, and resin. The statue had already suffered partial vandalism in December, with one of its legs damaged.
Critics had earlier questioned the use of public funds for its construction amid Ghana’s economic hardships. In 2024, the country secured a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its worst economic crisis in decades.
President John Mahama, who defeated Akufo-Addo’s party in a landslide election last December, had previously criticized the statue. He argued that it was insensitive to the struggles faced by Ghanaians and stated, “It is up to the people to honor the former president for his achievements.”
