Claim: Social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) have circulated a photo claiming that the recently destroyed statue of Ghana’s ex-President Nana Akufo-Addo is currently under reconstruction.
Verdict: Misleading! A Google Reverse Image Search conducted by DUBAWA revealed that the photo is not recent. It dates back to November 8, 2024, when a video of the statue’s creation surfaced on social media.
Full Text
Some users on X, Eddie (@dfwEddie) and Ãbdül (@IamAbdul___), both with substantial followings, shared a photo claiming that the statue of former President Akufo-Addo, damaged in January 2025, is being reconstructed.
The statue, unveiled in November 2024 at the Effia-Nkwanta roundabout in Sekondi-Takoradi, was erected to honour Akufo-Addo’s contributions to the Western Region.
The unveiling, led by Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, celebrated the projects initiated during Akufo-Addo’s administration.
On December 16, 2024, a noticeable gaping hole in the statue’s leg was discovered. Whether this damage was intentional or due to a defect remains unclear. Investigations commenced shortly after.
However, the statue became a subject of criticism and was mysteriously destroyed at about 1:30 a.m. on January 13, 2025, days after the inauguration of a new administration.
Hours later, at 9:11 a.m., Eddie (@dfwEddie) posted a photo captioned, “Fixing in progress…the statue de3 efor dey (sic),” which quickly garnered over 250,000 views. Many users were misled into believing reconstruction was underway.
One user, @Listo_Mensah, commented: “It will be destroyed again. Don’t worry.”
Another user, @DensuAddo, accused the statue’s creator, alleging he orchestrated the damage to claim funds for repairs.
Given the potential for misinformation, DUBAWA launched an investigation.
Verification
Using Google Reverse Image Search, DUBAWA traced the image to a video widely shared in November 2024. On November 8, Instagram user @KSSnewsglobal posted the video with the caption: “The making of President Akufo-Addo’s infamous statue in the Western Region.”
The video shows the same craftsman, tools, and materials in identical positions, proving the image is from the statue’s creation, not its reconstruction.
More videos of the construction from two months ago can be seen here, here, and here.
Additionally, a keyword search showed no credible news outlet reporting any ongoing statue reconstruction.
Conclusion
The claim that Akufo-Addo’s statue is under reconstruction is misleading. The circulating image is from November 2024, predating the statue’s destruction.