Police arrest man for destroying busts of ‘Big Six’ at Airport Roundabout

The police are investigating a man who vandalised the statue of the Big Six located at the Airport Roundabout in Accra.

After causing damage to the monument, the suspect also destroyed several signposts in the area.

The incident is reported to have happened around 3:00am on Saturday, August 31. Some individuals witnessed a man who was destroying the statue of the Big Six and promptly reported it to the police.

During a visit to the scene, TV3 found that the monument has been vandalised, with no single statue remaining.

The broken pieces of the statue and some blocks have been scattered around as the iron rods are exposed.

The suspect is also reported to have destroyed some signposts at the airport roundabout.
It is unknown what could have informed this act, but the suspect identified as Newwel Gavu is in police custody and will be taken through the due process of the law.

“The Ghana Police Service today, 31st August 2024, arrested suspect Newwel Gavu for causing damage to a monument and some signposts at the Airport roundabout in Accra. The suspect is currently in custody and will be taken through the due process of the law,” the police said in a post on X.

During our visit, we found a pair of sandals that supposedly belongs to the suspect, which was left at the scene during the arrest.

The monument is gone and will require some resources to put up a new one. TV3’s Christian Yalley reports that this unsettling incident has raised security concerns, with many describing it as a red flag.

“We would like to commend members of the public and the Airport security for their vigilance which led to the arrest of the suspect,” the police acknowledged.

Who are the Big Six?

The ‘Big Six’ were the leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), a political party formed to push for self-government from the colonial government.

They include Ebenezer Ako-Adjei (1916-2002), Edward Akufo-Addo (1906-1979), J.B. Danquah (1895-1965), Emmaneul Obetsebi-Lamptey (1902-1963), William Ofori Atta (1910-1988) and Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972).

On Feb. 28, 1948, a peaceful demonstration in Accra for pay owed veterans who fought for Britain in World War II was met with gunfire, killing three people.

Horrified by the incident, the ‘Big Six’ called for full and immediate self-rule. They were all arrested.

In prison, the group earned their collective nickname and became a symbol for the country’s self-determination.

Source:3news.com