SAD NEWS: Leg of Akufo Addo’s statue broken

Damage to the contentious monument of President Akufo-Addo at the gateway to the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western region’s Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis has rekindled debates regarding the statue’s polarizing reaction among locals.

A large hole was seen at the rear of one of the statue’s legs by onlookers on the morning of Monday, December 16, 2024.

There is still uncertainty regarding the damage’s cause, which invites conjecture. Some speculate that the tragedy might have been caused by structural defects, while others think it might have been the result of those who had pledged to take down the statue.

President Akufo-Addo unveiled the statue during a Western Region visit shortly before the general elections in 2024. It was built to commemorate alleged important initiatives that his administration had started.

These include the construction of the three-tier Sinohydro interchange, the renovation of Takoradi Market Circle, and the restoration of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

At the time, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, defended the monument, saying it was a representation of the President’s leadership in growth and advancement.

However, some locals questioned the installation’s appropriateness and relevance, leading to contentious discussions and protests.

The money spent on the statue, according to critics, should have been better spent on urgent local issues, such enhancing the medical facilities at the hospital where it is located.

Prior to this most recent event, several community members had publicly threatened to demolish the monument, calling it a representation of misguided ideals.

Many people are now questioning whether the statue’s apparent damage is a result of these ongoing tensions or if it was just a coincidence.

Investigations are anticipated to ascertain the precise origin of the damage, and authorities have not yet released an official comment about the incident.