The vandalised statue
The Ghana Police Service has commenced investigation into the damage caused to the statue of President Akufo-Addo at the entrance of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of the Western Region.
A hole was discovered on the back of the left leg of the statue yesterday morning, with the cause of the damage not immediately known.
The statue, unveiled by President Akufo-Addo during a tour of the Western Region just before the 2024 general election, was erected to celebrate the significant projects initiated under his administration.
These include the rehabilitation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, the construction of the 3-tier Sinohydro interchange, and the Takoradi Market Circle redevelopment.
However, the installation sparked heated debates and protests among some residents, who questioned its relevance and appropriateness.
Detractors argued that the funds used for the statue could have been redirected to pressing local needs, such as improving healthcare infrastructure at the very hospital where it stands.
After the December elections, some residents in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis vowed to remove the statue.
Later, the Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kirk Mensah, in a radio interview indicated that the statue must be relocated to the hometown of the President at Kyebi, in the Eastern Region.
Police Investigations
According to the police, its preliminary investigations have revealed that the statue’s left leg has been damaged and its plaque removed.
“The police efforts are underway to get the perpetrators arrested to face justice,” the police indicated in a statement.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi