Statue of former President destroyed

A statue of Ghana’s immediate former President, Nana Akufo-Addo, put up at the end of last year, has been destroyed, reports The Namibian. The unveiling by Akufo-Addo of his own likeness in November in the country’s western region sparked a social media backlash, as well as being mocked and described as ‘self-glorification’. Its launch had been in honour of the President’s development initiatives. Last week, local media shared images showing the statue in a ruined state, with its severed head lying on the ground. Akufo-Addo stepped down as President two weeks ago after serving two terms in power. His party’s candidate to replace him was heavily defeated in December’s Presidential election. Last year, critics questioned the use of public funds for the construction of the statue especially at a time the country was facing economic hardship. Ghana has in recent years been experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation and last year received a $3bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund. President John Mahama, who won the vote in a landslide, has said it was up to the people to honour the former President for his achievements, describing the statue as insensitive given the hardships being faced by the people.

Full report in The Namibian