Ghanaian investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has advised against equating the recent destruction of former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s statue with the 1966 toppling of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s monument.
In a social media post on Wednesday, January 15, Manasseh emphasized that similar fates do not necessarily lead to similar historical legacies.
“Two people may suffer the same or similar fates, but those fates alone do not define their places in history,” he stated.
Making a biblical comparison, he noted, “Jesus was crucified on the cross with two thieves… After 2000 years… Jesus is still described as the Saviour of the world, but the two men are still nameless thieves.”
Manasseh’s comments follow the recent vandalization of Akufo-Addo’s statue, which was unveiled in November 2024 near the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi.
The monument faced criticism, with some labeling it as “self-glorification” amid national economic challenges.
In December 2024, the statue sustained damage to its leg, and by January 2025, it was destroyed, with the severed head found on the ground.
Reflecting on Nkrumah’s legacy, Manasseh recounted the 1966 military coup that led to the first president’s ousting and the subsequent efforts to erase his memory, including the decapitation of his statue.
Despite these attempts, Nkrumah’s contributions have endured, with international recognitions such as being voted Africa’s Man of the Millennium and having his statue at the African Union headquarters.
Manasseh acknowledged Nkrumah’s flaws but highlighted his dedication to nation-building without enriching himself with public funds.
He contrasted this with contemporary issues, stating, “In a country where newly constructed roads don’t outlast one rainy season, the Tema motorway Nkrumah built… is sixty years old this year.”
Comments
Go away, stoopid boy Manasseh. Nobody needs your writings for anything