Zeqblog Blog of Monday, 16 December 2024
Source: Okine Isaac
A piece of President Nana Akufo-Addo's statue, which is positioned at the entrance to the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi-Takoradi, has been broken, raising questions about its provenance and future.
On the morning of Monday, December 16, 2024, a noticeable hole was noticed near the back of one of the statues legs. It is unknown if the destruction was intentional by persons opposed to the statue or the result of a structural fault.
"I'm really surprised," remarked Doris Arhin, a nearby resident. "The statue was intended as a memorial to the president. It's astonishing to see one of its legs shattered, especially because no one has openly expressed an intention to destroy it."
Another resident, Esther Anosi, shared her thoughts on the possible cause of the damage: "I believe the monument was rushed. They were scheduled to finish it in two months, but they only finished in two weeks. Despite the flaws, I believe the government had a valid cause for creating this statue."
President Akufo-Addo unveiled the statue during a trip of the Western Region ahead of the 2024 general election. It was designed to commemorate key development initiatives launched during his tenure, including the repair of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the construction of the Sinohydro three-tier interchange, and the redevelopment of Takoradi Market Circle.
Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah previously remarked that the statue represented the government's commitment to improving infrastructure and public services in the region. However, the recent damage to the statue has placed a pall over the popular acceptance of this tribute.