A statue of Ghana’s former president, Nana Akufo-Addo, which was erected in the Western Region last year, has been destroyed under mysterious circumstances. The statue, unveiled in November to commemorate Akufo-Addo’s development initiatives, quickly became the subject of controversy and ridicule, with critics calling it an act of “self-glorification.” Now, its destruction has sparked a heated debate across the nation.
On Monday, images surfaced showing the statue in a ruined state, with its head severed and lying on the ground, while the torso appeared damaged. The pedestal remained, albeit in a state of disrepair. The attack on the statue’s likeness comes weeks after it had already been partially vandalized, with one of its legs damaged. It is unclear who was responsible for the destruction, but local residents had previously voiced concerns about the monument’s presence.
Some community members had even called for its removal, with one telling Citi FM that the statue had “no benefit” to the people, suggesting its destruction was justified. However, others condemned the act, arguing that there should have been a more civil approach to addressing concerns over the statue. One resident expressed regret, stating that the destruction could have negative consequences for the former president’s party, particularly in light of the recent elections.
The statue’s creation had already faced scrutiny, particularly from critics who questioned the use of public funds for a project at a time when the country was grappling with severe economic challenges. Ghana, under Akufo-Addo’s leadership, has faced a crippling cost-of-living crisis, prompting widespread public discontent. In December, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $3bn bailout to help the country recover.
The controversy over the statue has added to the broader political discourse, with incoming president John Mahama, who defeated Akufo-Addo’s successor in last month’s election, labeling the monument as insensitive. Mahama, who had previously criticized the statue, emphasized that the people, not statues, should determine how leaders are remembered for their achievements.
