A social media controversy has erupted after Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo revealed a statue of himself during his tour of the Western Region.
According to Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the monument was erected to commemorate the president’s development projects during his tenure.
However, the statue’s placement outside Sekondi’s Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital has drawn criticism from many Ghanaians who view it as self-promoting. Opposition MP Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah expressed his disapproval on X, stating that Western Region residents deserve better than such self-serving displays.
President Akufo-Addo, who concludes his second term in January, has claimed to have fulfilled 80% of his promises to the nation. The unveiling took place Wednesday during what has been termed his “thank-you tour.”
At the ceremony, Regional Minister Darko-Mensah highlighted various initiatives launched under Akufo-Addo’s leadership. However, the statue has faced significant public backlash, with critics questioning its relevance while numerous development projects remain unfinished.
Some citizens have suggested on social media that the monument was premature, arguing that achievements should be recognized naturally over time. Others are advocating for the statue’s removal once the president leaves office.
President Akufo-Addo, who ends his second term in January, claims to have delivered on 80% of his commitments to the Ghanaian people.
During his “thank-you tour” on Wednesday, he unveiled a monument of himself at the entrance of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi. Western Regional Minister Darko-Mensah used the ceremony to showcase various initiatives launched during the president’s administration.
However, the statue’s installation has triggered widespread disapproval, particularly from citizens concerned about unfinished development projects. One user on X commented that it would have been better to let future generations naturally recognize the president’s achievements.
The monument has become a subject of viral discussion online, with some members of the public demanding its removal following the president’s departure from office.
The statue has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters viewing it as recognition of Akufo-Addo’s developmental achievements. One supporter praised him as Ghana’s greatest president and credited him for establishing the country’s free education system, suggesting he would be missed.
During his regional tour, the 80-year-old president emphasized his free secondary education policy as his most notable achievement. His visits have aligned with the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) nationwide campaign efforts in the Western Region, one of Ghana’s 16 regions.
Akufo-Addo has been actively promoting Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia as the NPP’s candidate in the upcoming general election, encouraging voters to support him to ensure policy continuity. Bawumia’s main opponent is former President John Dramani Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who seeks to return to office.
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