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Blay Nyameke Armah, Member of Parliament for Sekondi in Ghana’s Western Region, has announced plans to seek President John Dramani Mahama’s permission to relocate former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s statue from the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi-Takoradi to his hometown, Kyebi.
According to Hon. Armah Blay, the former president’s contributions to the region do not merit the honor of having a statue erected in Sekondi. “What did Nana Addo do for us in the Western Region to deserve a statue here? The statue should be relocated to Kyebi, his hometown. With President Mahama’s permission, we will replace it with a statue of Kwame Nkrumah,” he stated during an interview with Oyerepa TV on January 7, 2024.
The statue, unveiled by Akufo-Addo on November 6, 2024, faced widespread public backlash and was labeled an act of self-glorification. Critics, including now-President Mahama, argued that such tributes should come from others in recognition of a leader’s legacy, not from the leader himself.
Tensions over the statue escalated after its unveiling, with residents criticizing its placement in a region plagued by poor road infrastructure, including the area where the statue stands. On December 16, 2024, the controversy reached a tipping point when the statue was vandalized, leaving its left leg partly damaged.
With the change in government following the December 2024 elections, many Sekondi residents are optimistic about the statue’s relocation, aligning with Hon. Armah Blay’s vision to honor leaders who left a lasting impact on the region.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
