Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare, a distinguished lawyer and public commentator, has openly criticized President Akufo-Addo’s decision to erect a statue in his own honor.
Asare argued that it is inappropriate for sitting presidents, or any current public officials, to commission statues of themselves.
According to Asare, erecting statues for current officeholders can undermine principles of humility and public accountability.
“First, it can appear self-congratulatory or politically motivated, potentially leading to perceptions of vanity rather than genuine recognition of lasting achievements.
“Second, statues should be reserved for figures whose contributions have stood the test of time”.
Prof. Kwaku Azar Asare
Prof. Asare emphasized that creating statues for current presidents or public officials risks prematurely celebrating accomplishments that history might later reassess or even criticize.
He argued that the value of a leader’s legacy can only be fully understood over time and should be evaluated objectively once they have left office.
Furthermore, Prof. Asare argued that allocating public funds for such statutes can appear wasteful, especially when many critical issues—such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure—require urgent attention and resources.
For him, prioritizing statues over pressing social needs suggests a misalignment in leadership priorities, detracting from the primary focus of serving the people. “This can lead to public discontent if citizens feel resources are better spent elsewhere”.
Prof. Asare highlighted that erecting a statue of a sitting president can symbolically elevate the leader above others, creating a perception of greatness before the leader’s tenure has been thoroughly assessed.
He explained that such gestures risk shaping public opinion prematurely, potentially overshadowing an unbiased evaluation of their accomplishments, challenges, and overall impact on the nation.
According to Asare, this symbolic elevation may pressure the public into viewing the leader’s legacy in a favorable light, even if a balanced assessment might later reveal mixed or negative aspects of their term.
Prof. Asare further revealed that, historically, Ghanaians have been critical of presidents who award themselves or their close associates with statues while still in office.
He noted that the Ghanaian public tends to view such acts as self-indulgent and out of step with the values of humility and public service.
MP Questions President’s Commitment
Furthermore, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle and Deputy Leader of the NDC caucus in Parliament expressed concerns over President Akufo-Addo’s decision to unveil a statue of himself at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.
He questioned the President’s priorities and commitment to addressing the real needs of the people in the Western Region.
Buah questioned whether this act reflects a focus on legacy-building over addressing pressing healthcare challenges faced by the region’s residents.
He suggested that resources might have been better directed toward improving hospital facilities and services for the community.
“This extravagant display of self-aggrandizement comes at a time when the region has been largely neglected, with pressing needs and concerns left unaddressed.
“The Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-NPP government continues to take the Western Region for granted”.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
He argued that this grand gesture reflects a significant misplacement of priorities, especially given the urgent needs in the Western Region.
Hon. Buah emphasized that the people of the region deserve meaningful investments in essential services and infrastructure, rather than displays focused on personal recognition.
He suggested that resources should be directed toward improving healthcare facilities, education, and local development, which would have a lasting impact on the community’s well-being.
According to Buah, self-serving displays do little to address the pressing issues facing the region and fail to meet the expectations of the people.
Meanwhile, residents of Sekondi-Takoradi have demanded the removal of the President’s statue, stating that the town has not experienced any notable progress or development under the Akufo-Addo administration, despite various promises.
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