The Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IV, has denied claims by the former Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, that chiefs in the Western Region contributed to the controversial Akufo-Addo statue erected outside the Effia-Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi.

The statue was unveiled during former President Akufo-Addo’s thank-you tour of the region in November 2024.

Speaking on a Takoradi-based radio station, Nana Agyeman, who was present at the unveiling ceremony, expressed his surprise at the existence of the statue and disclosed that he had been blindsided by Mr. Darko Mensah into participating in the event.

He categorically refuted the suggestion that the statue was a gift from the chiefs of the Western Region.

"Frankly, I initially decided not to comment on the statue because of the insults we chiefs have endured. However, I can confirm that the statue was not commissioned by the chiefs of the Western Region. No chief contributed even a pesewa towards its construction. Furthermore, the matter was never discussed at any House of Chiefs meeting, and as someone who attends nearly every meeting, I would have been aware if such a decision had been made,” Nana Agyeman clarified.

Detailing the events leading to his involvement, the Paramount Chief revealed that he and other chiefs had been invited to meet the former president at the GNAT Hall as part of his thank-you tour.

During the meeting, Mr. Darko Mensah approached him with an invitation to join a group presenting a token of appreciation to the president at Effia-Nkwanta Hospital. Nana Agyeman said it was only upon arrival at the hospital that he learned the "gift" was a statue.

“I had no idea it was a statue until we arrived. There were about seven of us Paramount Chiefs there. I was informed on the spot that I would assist in unveiling it. Despite my reservations, I refrained from protesting to avoid creating a scene. I participated but made it clear my remarks were personal, thanking the President for visiting me during my hospitalisation in 2019, not on behalf of the Western Region chiefs,” he said.