Statues are primarily erected to honor notable individuals and figures, celebrating their significant contributions to a cause or nation.

They also act as reminders of these individuals' legacies for future generations and preserve cultural heritage.

Ghana is home to numerous statues dedicated to past presidential leaders, commemorating their important contributions to the nation and keeping their memories alive.

Despite the strong patriotism of Ghanaians, acts of vandalism and the destruction of statues honoring two key presidential figures have, over the years, left a negative impact.

GhanaWeb takes a look at the two presidents whose statues have been destroyed

1. Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

The statue of Ghana's first president, created by Italian sculptor Nicola Cataudella, was unveiled in front of the old Parliament House in Accra on March 5th, 1958, during the first anniversary of independence.

In 1961, the statue was first damaged in a bomb attack by militant opponents of the Nkrumah regime, and it was toppled shortly after the coup that ousted him in 1966.

It was decapitated and had an arm completely broken off by citizens celebrating Nkrumah's overthrow by a military regime that year.

The statue is adorned in traditional wear called ‘fugu’ or ‘batakari’ which is a traditional smock from northern Ghana and paired with trousers and shoes.

2. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

The former president's statue at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi was completely destroyed by unknown individuals on Monday, January 13, 2025.

Following the destruction, parts of the statue were seen scattered on the ground, an act that has been widely condemned. Before the statue's destruction, unknown individuals had vandalized it in December 2024, breaking off a portion of its leg, though it was promptly repaired and restored to its original condition.

Before the destruction of the statue, several people had called for its relocation. The statue, dressed in a suit and hewed in bronze, was erected by some chiefs to honor the president for the significant development in the Western region.

While the statue of Akufo-Addo has been completely destroyed, the remains of Dr. Nkrumah’s statue are prominently displayed at the Kwame Nkrumah Museum, serving as a testament to his legacy and the unfortunate story of his unpopularity.

This troubling trend leaves a lasting negative impact on the country’s history, highlighting how political conflicts can be destructive if left unchecked.

MAG/EK

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