Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, has sparked a heated debate after unveiling a statue of himself during a visit to the country’s Western Region.
The monument, positioned outside the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi, was meant to commemorate the president’s development initiatives during his time in office, according to the region’s minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah.
The unveiling of the statue drew widespread criticism on social media, with many accusing the president of “self-glorification.” Opposition figures and ordinary Ghanaians voiced their dissatisfaction, questioning the need for such a statue at a time when several key development projects remained unfinished.
“The people of the Western Region deserve better than these self-serving displays,” opposition MP Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah posted on X, reflecting the sentiment of many who felt the statue was unnecessary.
Akufo-Addo, who was set to leave office in January after completing two terms, toured various regions as part of a “thank-you tour.” He claimed to have fulfilled 80% of the promises he made to Ghanaians during his presidency. However, critics argued that the statue is a premature and extravagant gesture, with some calling for its removal after the president steps down.