The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IV, has dismissed claims by the former Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, that chiefs in the Western Region funded the controversial statue of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, which was mounted in front of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi.
The statue, unveiled in November 2024 during the former President’s thank-you tour of the region, has since sparked public backlash, culminating in its destruction by unknown individuals on January 13, 2025. Critics have argued that the statue was a misplaced priority, given the region’s pressing development challenges.
In an interview with a Takoradi-based radio station BIG FM 96.7, Nana Akwasi Agyeman revealed that he was blindsided by the former minister to participate in the unveiling ceremony.
He categorically denied any financial involvement by the Western Region chiefs in the statue’s construction.
“Frankly, I promised not to comment on the statue issue because of the widespread insults we chiefs have suffered. I, Nana Akwasi Agyeman, can confirm that the statue was not done by the chiefs of the Western Region. It is never true. No chief contributed a pesewa towards its construction.
If any chief contributed, I’m yet to know,” he stated.
The Paramount Chief further clarified that the matter was never discussed in any meeting of the Western Regional House of Chiefs.
“The chiefs never met as the House of Chiefs to discuss donating a statue to honor the then-President Nana Akufo-Addo. I attend almost every House of Chiefs meeting, and so I would have known, but it was never discussed,” he emphasized.
Nana Akwasi Agyeman recounted how he was ambushed into attending the unveiling, stating that he and six other chiefs had only been invited to meet the former President during his thank-you tour at the GNAT Hall in Sekondi.
According to him, it was at this event that Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah informed him about presenting a gift of appreciation to the President at Effia-Nkwanta Hospital.
“It was upon arriving there that I got to know it was a statue. I didn’t even know it was a statue. They told me I would help the President unveil it, and I was given a chair close to him,” Nana Akwasi Agyeman explained.
The Paramount Chief admitted that he felt uncomfortable participating but refrained from creating a scene. He noted that his remarks at the unveiling were personal and not on behalf of the Western Region chiefs.
The controversial statue’s destruction has reignited debates over its relevance, with many in the region criticizing it as tone-deaf to the socioeconomic challenges faced by residents. The incident has further fueled calls for accountability regarding its funding and erection.
So far Hon Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has not comment on the matter.
