The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IV, has dismissed claims made by former Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah that chiefs in the Western Region financed the controversial statue of former President Nana Akufo-Addo. The statue, which was installed outside the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi, was unveiled during Akufo-Addo’s thank-you tour of the region in November 2024.
In an interview with a Takoradi-based radio station, Nana Akwasi Agyeman revealed that he was unaware of the statue’s existence until the unveiling and insisted the chiefs did not contribute to its funding.
“I initially decided not to comment on this issue due to the insults we, as chiefs, have endured. However, I want to categorically state that the chiefs of the Western Region did not fund the statue,” he clarified.
The chief further explained that there was no consultation or meeting among the chiefs regarding the construction or placement of the statue. “If any chief contributed financially, I have no knowledge of it,” he added.
Caught Off Guard at the Unveiling
Nana Akwasi Agyeman recounted how he was unexpectedly involved in the unveiling ceremony. According to him, Okyere Darko Mensah invited him and other chiefs to join the former President’s thank-you tour and attend an event at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital.
“At the GNAT Hall, Okyere Darko Mensah informed me that we were to present a gift to the President and head to Effia-Nkwanta. It was only when we arrived that I discovered the so-called gift was a statue,” he recounted.
The chief revealed that he was reluctant to participate in the ceremony but chose not to object publicly to avoid creating a scene. “I felt ambushed. I stayed silent, participated in the unveiling, and offered my personal gratitude to the President, not on behalf of the Western Region’s chiefs,” he noted.
Public Backlash and Statue Destruction
The statue, intended to honor Akufo-Addo, sparked significant public outcry due to dissatisfaction with his perceived contributions to the Western Region’s development. The controversy culminated in its destruction by unknown individuals on January 13, 2025.
Reflecting on the incident, Nana Akwasi Agyeman reiterated that the chiefs had no involvement in the statue’s funding or decision-making process, stressing the need for transparency and consultation in matters of regional significance.
SOURCE: http://dew360.net
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