Nana Akwasi Agyeman IV, the Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, has publicly refuted claims that the chiefs of the Western Region funded the controversial statue of former President Akufo-Addo, which was unveiled in front of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi. The chief has come out to state that they were misled by the former Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah. He stated that they did not contribute any money to the construction of the statue, and they were surprised when they were asked to come and unveil the statue. This statement contradicts earlier claims that the chiefs were in support of the project. The story sheds light on the controversy surrounding the statue and raises questions about the circumstances surrounding its funding and unveiling.
The Statue Unveiling Controversy:
The statue of former President Akufo-Addo, placed in front of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, became a subject of controversy following its unveiling during the former President’s thank-you tour of the Western Region in November 2024. The unveiling of the statue has become a major point of conversation in the area with most people not knowing who funded the project. The controversy deepened with claims that the statue was funded by the chiefs of the Western Region which the Paramount Chief has now come out to deny.
Chief’s Refutation of Funding Claims:
Nana Akwasi Agyeman IV has vehemently denied the claims that the chiefs of the Western Region funded the statue. Speaking to a Takoradi-based radio station, he clarified that neither he nor any other chiefs in the region contributed financially to the project. He also stated that they were never consulted about it. He said that the claims made by the former Western Regional Minister are false.
Chiefs Were Not Consulted:
The Chief emphasized that the chiefs never met as a House of Chiefs to discuss or approve the construction of the statue. This revelation is very important as it reveals that the chiefs were not consulted and that the former Western Regional Minister may have lied to the public about their involvement. He states that the chiefs never discussed the statue at a House of Chiefs meeting, nor did they approve it.
Ambushed at the Unveiling Ceremony:
Nana Akwasi Agyeman further stated that he was caught off guard by Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah and was drawn into the unveiling of the statue without prior knowledge or consent. He added that he had been promised not to comment on the issue due to public insults that the chiefs had received. He said that they were therefore shocked when they got to the venue to witness that they were to unveil the statue.
Reaction to Public Insults:
The chief had initially promised not to comment on the statue issue because of the widespread insults directed towards the chiefs. However, he felt compelled to address the claims regarding their involvement in funding the project. He said that the insults they received were uncalled for since they had nothing to do with the project. He stated that this was to set the records straight.