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The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IV, has dismissed claims by former Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah that chiefs in the Western Region financed the controversial statue of former President Akufo-Addo, unveiled in front of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi.
The statue, unveiled during Akufo-Addo’s thank-you tour of the region in November 2024, became a focal point of criticism, with many questioning its relevance and funding source.
Speaking on a Takoradi-based radio station, Nana Akwasi Agyeman revealed he was unaware of the statue’s existence until he was asked to participate in its unveiling.
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“I promised not to comment on the statue issue due to the widespread insults we chiefs have received. But I, Nana Akwasi Agyeman, can confirm that the chiefs of the Western Region did not fund the statue,” he firmly stated.
He added, “No chief contributed financially to the construction of the statue. If any chief contributed, I am yet to know. The Western Regional House of Chiefs never met to discuss or approve the statue.”
Recounting the events leading to the unveiling, Nana Akwasi Agyeman explained how he was unexpectedly involved.
“We were invited to the former president’s thank-you tour at GNAT Hall. It was there Okyere Darko Mensah asked me to join them in presenting a gift to the president and head to Effia-Nkwanta Hospital. Upon arrival, I learnt it was a statue. I didn’t even know it was a statue beforehand,” he said.
Despite his reluctance, the chief said he went along to avoid creating a scene. “Seven Paramount Chiefs attended the event. I was told to help unveil the statue and give a speech. I thanked the former president personally, not on behalf of the Western Region chiefs, as he had visited me in the hospital after my 2019 attack,” Nana Agyeman clarified.
The statue, which faced heavy backlash for being perceived as unnecessary given Akufo-Addo’s minimal contribution to the region, was destroyed by unknown individuals on January 13, 2025.
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