Backlash as Akufo-Addo unveils self-honouring statue

Outgoing Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo is facing significant backlash on social media after unveiling a statue of himself at a regional hospital in Sekondi.

The statue, revealed during a “thank-you tour” in the Western Region, was described by Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah as a tribute to Akufo-Addo’s development achievements over his two terms in office.

However, many Ghanaians have condemned the move, seeing it as self-aggrandizement rather than a genuine reflection of public service. Opposition Member of Parliament Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah criticized the statue, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that “the people of the Western Region deserve better than these self-serving displays.” Many others voiced similar concerns, questioning the timing of the statue when numerous government projects remain unfinished. One critic suggested that it “would have been more fitting for the president to leave such honors to future generations.”

Despite the outcry, some defended the statue, highlighting Akufo-Addo’s key policies, especially his flagship free secondary education initiative, which he has repeatedly touted as his “most significant legacy.” Supporters praised the monument, with one posting, “He is deserving of this recognition – the greatest president I’ve ever had.”

The unveiling coincides with a broader campaign push by Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the upcoming general elections. The president urged voters to support Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s candidate, to continue his policies.

Bawumia’s main challenger in the election is former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the high cost of living emerging as a key issue in the race.