His criticism comes after the Akufo-Addo statue, which was unveiled in November 2024 as part of the former president’s “Thank-You Tour” in the Western Region, was vandalized on January 13, 2025. The statue, located in front of the Effia Nkwanta Hospital in Sekondi, sparked controversy from the outset, with some residents questioning Akufo-Addo’s contributions to the region.

Jon Benjamin took to Twitter to share his stance, writing, “Nobody should ever put up a statue of themselves while still alive, let alone while still in office.”

The vandalism, allegedly carried out by supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has sparked mixed reactions. While some condemned the act as disrespectful, others viewed it as a sign of public frustration with the former president.

The NDC has distanced itself from the incident, with party representatives denying any involvement and calling for restraint in resolving political disagreements.

Jon Benjamin’s remarks have since fueled a larger debate on the appropriateness of self-honoring acts, especially among political figures.

Source: Opera.com

According to him, as the world moves to technology it is Paramount that the practice of surveyors is also digitalized so the government will collaborate with the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) to make it possible.

The President was speaking during the official launch to celebrate the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) Working Week 2024 which was themed: ” Your World Our World: Resilient Environment and Sustainable Resource Management for All”.

The President was the special guest of honor at the launch of the FIG WORKING WEEK 2024 held in Accra.
President Akufo-Addo noted that Surveyors play a crucial role in the development of countries and Ghana has benefited immensely from surveyors therefore they needed to be celebrated.

He stressed that Ghana faces significant challenges with land administration and spacious planning but believes this challenge could be averted going forward due to the tremendous work being done by the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG)

In conclusion, the President urged the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) to continue their professional, ethical, and code of conduct and also support research as well.

Meanwhile, Surv. Dr. Anthony Arko-Adjei, President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, on his part gave insight into the program as he said, that at the end of the conference, they will touch on challenges and solutions to the challenges.

He said flooding and environmental challenges in Ghana make the theme very appropriate as he said they will be learning ways of curbing these challenges, especially with Galamsey and its related activities.

Mr. Arko-Adjei used the opportunity to welcome the team of surveyors to Ghana as he hoped for a successful conference.

Source: Mymctvonline.com || Frank Kwaku Eshun

The roads include, amongst others, the completion of the dualization of the 22km Ho main road, the 30km Have to Kpando road, the upgrading of the Golokwati -Wli road, resealing of the 15km Asikuma junction to Ho road, regravelling of the 30km Frankadua to Adidome road and the surfacing of the 17.8km Matse-Klave and Lume Atsiame-Avetokoe roads.

Some of the others are the asphaltic overlay on 15km of town roads in Hohoe; bitumen surfacing of the 15.6km Akwetey-Adaklu-Waya feeder road; bitumen surfacing of Bume-Danyigba-Anfoega road; Danyigba Town Roads, Dra-Sabadu road, and Bume-Agata road; bitumen surfacing of the 12km Yorkitikpo-Kpoviadzi-Trepe road; as well as the bitumen surfacing of the 9.7km Mafi-Adadepo, Wute/Yorkitikpo and Kpoviadzi feeder roads; bitumen surfacing of the 9.7km Liati Agbonyira-Fodome-Ahor road; and the upgrading of 2.5 km Klefe town roads.

President Akufo-Addo made this known when he joined the Chiefs and people of the Anlo Stateat a grand durbar to mark the celebration of the 2023 edition of the historic Hogbetsotso festival, on Saturday, 4th November 2023, at Anloga in the Volta region.

According to President Akufo-Addo, work is also steadily ongoing on the 5.3km Ho By-Pass dualisation project which stands at 37% complete, as is work on the upgrading of 8km of selected roads in Ketu South, which is 48% complete.

Touching on the Eastern Corridor Roads, the President noted that the work that has been undertaken are in sharp contrast to what had been done at the end of 2016, which saw only 135km of Eastern Corridor Roads, representing 27%, in good condition before he came into office.

“As at the end of 2022, 366 kilometres, that is 74% of the Corridor had improved from poor to good state. This has had a positive impact on the movement of goods and people along the corridor,” he added.

The President noted further Government has cancelled the contracts awarded to contractors working on the Aflao – Denu – Dzodze – Ave Afiadenyigba – Ave Dakpa – Ho Road; Denu – Havedzi – Keta road; Srogbe – Anyanui road; Agortoe Junction – Tregbui – Adutor road; Anyako – Seva road; and the Weta – Metsrikasa road.

President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressing the Chiefs

He explained that “most of the contractors, however, failed to carry out the works. The Ministry of Roads and Highways has, thus, decided to terminate the current contracts and re-package them for award. In the short term, the mobile maintenance unit of the Ghana Highway Authority will be deployed to undertake emergency maintenance of the very critical sections of these roads.”

In addition to these, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that government has also secured funding of US$89 million from the African Development Bank towards the construction of the 29.35 km Asutsuare Junction – Volivo road, the 39.2 km Dufor Adidome- Asikuma Junction Road, the 23.9km Asutsuare Junction – Aveyime road, and two (2) Interchanges at Dufor Adidome and Asikuma Junction.

Procurement processes, he explained, are currently on-going and work expected to start by the first quarter of 2024.

Source: Starrfm.com.gh