The Vice Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has criticized President Nana Akufo-Addo for unveiling a statue of himself in Takoradi amidst widespread economic hardship in the country.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, during a courtesy call on the Regent of Wungu, Sulemana Saka Adams, in the Walewale constituency as part of her campaign tour of the North East Region, described the act as unjustifiable, especially when many Ghanaians are struggling with poverty and skyrocketing prices of goods and services. She noted that women, in particular, bear the brunt of the economic difficulties under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government.
“The government has failed to create jobs for the youth, leading to high unemployment across the country,” she said, adding that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under John Dramani Mahama would prioritize policies to ease economic hardships, including the 24-hour Economy, the Big Push initiative, Women’s Development Bank, and the National Apprenticeship Programme.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further urged Ghanaians to reject the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7 elections, emphasizing that “the time to change is now.” She assured voters that an NDC government would reset the nation for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
President Akufo-Addo unveiled the statue on November 6 at the entrance of Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi during his one-day “thank you” tour of the Western Region. Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah defended the statue as a tribute to the President’s contributions to the region, citing key projects such as the rehabilitation of the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital, the Sinohydro interchange, and the redevelopment of Takoradi Market Circle.
However, critics point out that many of these projects remain incomplete, fueling discontent among Ghanaians, particularly on social media. Some residents in the Sekondi-Takoradi area have even called for the removal of the statue, arguing that it is inappropriate given the country’s economic challenges.