Family says man who vandalised ‘Big Six’ monuments has ‘mental illness’

The Kwabenya Circuit Court has ordered the police to ensure that a full medical examination is conducted on Newell Gavu, the man accused of destroying the statues of Ghana’s national heroes at the Kotoka Airport Roundabout.

This directive came after Gavu’s uncle, Winnard Kwesi Gavu, testified on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, that the accused had been taken to the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital in Accra after exhibiting anti-social behavior. The 70-year-old retired church accountant explained that Newell was treated, discharged, and placed on medication but later stopped taking his prescriptions, destroyed his hospital records, and left home.

In an interview with Angelonline.com.gh court correspondent Ama Brako Ampofo, Winnard Gavu revealed that the family could not afford further medical treatment for Newell. This came after the court, presided over by Mrs. Mawusi Bedjirah, asked the family to support the medical costs, which had so far been covered by the investigating officer from his own pocket.

“It is very sad the court is asking us to support the medical examination within this week [because] we do not have money and cannot do anything now,” Mr. Gavu said, appealing to the public for assistance in securing medical care for his nephew.

Medical Records

Police attempted to verify the uncle’s claims by visiting the Pantang Mental Hospital but were unable to access Newell’s records immediately. Hospital authorities explained that they had transitioned from an old record-keeping system to a digital one and would need time to retrieve the older files.

Case Facts

Presenting the case facts, Chief Inspector Gershon Achondo recounted that on August 31, 2024, at approximately 4:10 a.m., the complainant, Henry Akorlie (Jnr.), was on his way to work at Kotoka International Airport Terminal 3 when he saw the accused breaking the Big Six statues with a hammer. Akorlie promptly apprehended Gavu and handed him over to the police.

Upon investigation, the police confirmed that five of the statues had been destroyed, while one remained partially damaged. During interrogation, Gavu admitted to the offense but gave inconsistent statements, eventually claiming that a spirit in his dream had instructed him to destroy the statues.

Further inquiries revealed that Gavu and his family were squatting in an unfinished building at Oyarifa Ampomah Last Stop. The accused admitted to the offense in his cautioned statement.

The case has been adjourned to September 18, 2024, pending the results of a full medical examination of Newell Gavu.