The statue of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, located near the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi-Takoradi, was discovered vandalized on Monday, December 16, 2024. The statue had been unveiled amidst public criticism and debate, with its relevance and placement becoming contentious issues for local residents.
The statue, which was unveiled by Akufo-Addo himself, had already sparked mixed reactions from the public. Critics questioned its significance, especially considering what they perceive as unfulfilled promises and stalled development projects within the region. Among the critics was Richard Kirk Mensah, the Western Regional Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who suggested that the statue would have been more fittingly placed in the President’s hometown of Kyebi rather than Sekondi-Takoradi.
The vandalism, which occurred between Friday evening, December 13, and Monday morning, December 16, has raised numerous questions, especially since the statue was reported to be intact just days prior. The incident has puzzled residents, particularly due to the statue’s location in a relatively isolated area with no nearby residential buildings, making it unclear how the act went unnoticed by those in the vicinity.
The circumstances surrounding the vandalism remain unclear, but it has generated significant debate among locals. Some vendors in the area, such as Nana Adwoa Banko, a roasted plantain seller near the Effia Nkwanta roundabout, expressed disappointment at the damage. Banko stated, “Someone actually drew my attention to the statue’s vandalism. I don’t think it’s right. They should have at least waited until after the handing over.”
Despite the initial positive reception when the statue was first unveiled, local opinions seem to have shifted, with the vandalism now fueling further discussions on the appropriateness of the monument and the state of development in the region.
As the incident continues to stir debate, authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances of the vandalism, while residents remain divided on the statue’s place in Sekondi-Takoradi.
