Leg Broken, Plaque Removed: Police gives details on vandalism of Akufo-Addo's statue at Effia Nkwanta

The Ghana Police Service has announced that it has commenced an investigation into the vandalism of the statue of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in front of the Effia Nkwanta Hospital, at Sekondi in the Western Region.

In a statement issued on Monday, December 16, 2024, the police gave details of the damage to the president’s statue.

It said that the plaque on the statue had been removed, adding that its left leg was also broken.

The police assured that the person(s) responsible for the damage would be found and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country.

“The Ghana Police Service has commenced an investigation into the damage caused to the statue of His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, located at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital Roundabout at Sekondi, Western Region.

“Preliminary investigations by the police have revealed that the statue's left leg has been damaged, and its plaque removed. Police efforts are underway to get the perpetrators arrested to face justice,” the statement by the police reads.

Background:

The statue of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, according to reports, was vandalised on the morning of Monday, December 16, 2024, by unknown persons.

Viral visuals of the defaced statue show how the left leg has been partly damaged.

President Akufo-Addo came under heavy criticism after he unveiled the statue on November 6, 2024.

A section of the public, including now President-Elect John Dramani Mahama, accused President Akufo-Addo of self-glorification with his decision to unveil a statue of himself.

Mahama said that the president should not be the one putting up statues of himself but rather people should be doing that after he leaves office, in recognition of his achievements.

Some residents of Sekondi were inflamed by the erection of the statue in their community, with some pointing to the devastating nature of the very road the statue was erected on.

Some of the residents threatened to move the statue should the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lose the December 7, 2024, election.

BAI/AE