Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, a Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, has cautioned the public against attempts to remove the statue of President Akufo-Addo near the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region.
The statue, unveiled on November 6 during President Akufo-Addo’s one-day “thank you” tour of the region, sparked significant public debate.
While many have criticised the monument, including National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, who questioned its purpose and suggested it reflects self-congratulation rather than a genuine recognition of achievements, the public has also called for its removal following the NPP’s anticipated defeat in the 2024 elections.
However, in an interview on GHOne TV, Dr Asah-Asante warned that any attempt to take down the statue would be illegal. He stressed that only the state holds the authority to make decisions about the monument, whether to maintain or remove it.
“They should never go there [Akufo-Addo’s statue]. Nobody has that right. No law permits them to remove such, it’s an illegality. Anybody who goes there, the law will deal with that person,” Dr. Asah-Asante said. “If the state wants to remove it, they are not those individuals who are charged with that responsibility; they should stay away.”
