Residents of Sekondi-Takoradi woke up to shocking news on Monday, December 16, as the statue of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, located near the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, was discovered vandalized.
The statue, which was unveiled by President Akufo-Addo during a recent tour of the Western Region, has been a source of controversy since its installation.
Critics have questioned its relevance, citing unfulfilled government promises and stalled development projects in the region.
Richard Kirk Mensah, the Western Regional Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been a vocal critic of the monument.
He previously suggested that the statue would be more appropriately placed in the President’s hometown of Kyebi, rather than in a region grappling with unmet infrastructural needs.
The circumstances of the vandalism remain unclear. Vendors in the area reported seeing the statue intact as late as Friday evening, December 13. However, by Monday morning, it was found damaged.
The statue’s location, situated in a relatively isolated area near the hospital with few residential buildings nearby, has left residents puzzled about how the incident could have occurred unnoticed.
While some locals initially welcomed the statue as a symbol of the government’s commitment to the region, public sentiment has shifted over time.
Speaking to reporters, Nana Adwoa Banko, a roasted plantain vendor near the Effia-Nkwanta roundabout, expressed disappointment.
“Someone pointed out the damage to me, and I was shocked,” she said.
"I don’t think this is right. They should have at least waited until after the President handed over power.”
The vandalism has reignited debate over the statue’s significance, with many questioning whether resources allocated for its construction could have been better used to address pressing local needs, such as healthcare infrastructure at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Investigations are expected to uncover the cause of the vandalism and whether it was a deliberate act or the result of structural flaws.
The statue, intended to commemorate the President’s developmental efforts in the Western Region, has now become a focal point for both criticism and support, reflecting broader frustrations and divided opinions among the region's residents.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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