Statues should be reserved for figures whose contributions have stood the test of time – Prof Asare
A statue can symbolically elevate a leader above others, potentially biasing the public’s view before a fair assessment of their term can be made, a United States-based Ghanaian Professor, Kwaku Asare said.
Prof Asare is opposing erecting statues for a sitting president or public officers. He says that statues should be reserved for figures whose contributions have stood the test of time.
Erecting one for a current president or public officer risks prematurely celebrating achievements that history may judge differently, he argued.
His commonest came at a time when a newly-commissioned statue of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo near the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital left many residents of Sekondi Takoradi wondering why the President would commission a statue of himself there when according to them he has nothing to show to his credit in the area.
Residents of Sekondi Takoradi are up in arms over the statue, amidst the ongoing dualization of the Sekondi Takoradi road. The statue, which appeared to be part of a roundabout under construction, sparked widespread criticism with many questioning its necessity and timing.
Residents are unhappy with the current government, feeling that they haven’t seen any significant improvements since President Akufo-Addo took office.
Commenting on this in a Facebook post, Prof Asare said that “statues should not be erected for sitting presidents (or other sitting public officers) on five grounds.
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. Erecting one for a current president (or public officer) risks prematurely celebrating achievements that history may judge differently.
“Third, using public funds for such monuments can seem like a misallocation, especially when there may be more pressing issues needing attention. This can lead to public discontent if citizens feel resources are better spent elsewhere.
“Fourth, a statue can symbolically elevate a leader above others, potentially biasing the public’s view before a fair assessment of their term can be made. Finally, Ghanaians historically punishes a President who gives himself or his appointees statues or other awards.”
