A statue of Ghana’s former President Nana Akufo-Addo, unveiled last November to honor his development initiatives, has been destroyed, sparking mixed reactions among Ghanaians.
The statue, located in the Western Region, was unveiled by Akufo-Addo himself, a move that drew widespread criticism on social media, with many calling it an act of “self-glorification.” Critics also questioned the timing and use of public funds for its construction, as the country faced severe economic challenges.
Images shared by local media on Monday show the statue in ruins, with its head severed and lying on the ground, the torso demolished, and only a damaged pedestal remaining. The perpetrators and their motives remain unclear.
This is not the first time the statue was targeted. Last month, it was partially vandalized when one leg was damaged, prompting calls from some residents for its removal. Local authorities, however, had pledged to repair it.
Reactions to the destruction have been divided. While some residents welcomed the act, viewing the statue as unnecessary, others condemned it as improper.
- “It was of no benefit to the people, so if it’s destroyed, it’s normal,” one resident told Citi FM.
- Another expressed regret, suggesting a “proper, civil way” to remove it, warning that the action could have repercussions for supporters of the former president’s party.
Former President John Mahama, who defeated Akufo-Addo’s party’s candidate in December’s election, had previously criticized the statue, calling it insensitive given Ghana’s ongoing economic hardships.
Ghana is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades, culminating in a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund last year. The cost-of-living crisis was a central issue during the election, contributing to Mahama’s landslide victory.
