Former UK High Commissioner to Ghana Chides Akufo-Addo
FORMER United Kingdom High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, has criticized former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for erecting a statue of himself whiles alive.
The former UK diplomat stated that erecting of the monument by Akufo-Addo to honour himself during his tenure in office should never happened.
According to the diplomat, erecting monuments in one’s honour during their lifetime or tenure in office is wrong.
The comments by the diplomat is in the wake of the destruction of the statue of Akufo-Addo, unveiled in November 2024 in front of Effia Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi during his tour of the region dubbed: “Thank-You Tour”.
Residents of Sekondi Takoradi woke up on January 13, 2025 to see the statue fallen as that if the Dagon god in the Bible.
On his X (formerly called Twitter), on January 13, Mr Benjamin wrote, “Nobody should ever put up a statue of themselves while still alive, let alone while still in office.”
Many have pointed accusing fingers at the supporters of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the vandalism of the monument, a situation that has sparked mixed reactions within the region and the nation as a whole.
However, the NDC has vehemently denied any involvement or endorsement of the vandalism, challenging any person or persons with evidence to come out with.
Jon Benjamin was UK Ambassador to Mexico from 2021 to 2024. He joined the Diplomatic Service in 1986, and has represented the British government in Chile, Ghana, Turkey, Indonesia, and the United States, in his 35-year career.
