The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IV, has rejected claims by former Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, that chiefs in the region contributed to the controversial statue of former President Akufo-Addo, which was unveiled in November 2024.

Speaking to a Takoradi-based radio station, Nana Agyeman, who was present at the unveiling, clarified that neither he nor any other chiefs in the region had prior knowledge of the statue. He said he was invited to attend the event as part of Akufo-Addo’s thank-you tour but was caught off guard when he arrived at the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital and discovered that the event was to unveil a statue.

“I promised not to comment on the statue issue due to the widespread insults we chiefs have suffered, but I can confirm that the statue was not done by the chiefs of the Western Region,” Nana Agyeman said. “No chief contributed a pesewa towards its construction. There was no meeting of the House of Chiefs to discuss donating a statue in honor of the former President.”

The chief further explained how he was unexpectedly involved in the unveiling ceremony. He said they were initially invited to meet the President at the GNAT Hall as part of his thank-you tour, but it was only upon arrival at the hospital that he learned about the statue. Nana Agyeman recalled being informed that he would help unveil it, a role he was initially hesitant to take.

“I didn’t want to do it at first, but I was worried about creating a scene, so I kept quiet,” he said. “I eventually thanked the President on my own behalf, not on behalf of the chiefs.”

The statue of Akufo-Addo has sparked significant controversy, with many in the Western Region criticizing what they perceived as a lack of tangible development contributions from the former President to the area. The statue was destroyed by unknown individuals on January 13, 2025, following public outcry.

Source:TheDotNews