It is normal to have a picture of the Head of State hanging in public buildings and embassies all around the world - that is not the reason for the cult of personality. If African leaders respected their constitutions and people, and stopped casting themselves as messiahs then maybe this foolishness would disappear. Personally, it is no use having pictures of presidents. The most painful point is when the people, whom the person is supposed to serve, have not being paid, can't find a daily meal yet while en route to work or to visit a friend or family member, see a photo of the president, beautifully dressed and healthy. Mobutu, Nkrumah and Cote d'Ivoire's own Houphouet-Boigny became despots largely as a result of such subtle appeal to the psyche.
National unity is achieved through a leader's foresight in a policy of inclusion.
His ubiquitous image in public places or on the national currency has never made the grade to unite the population and rule wisely. The only place presidential photographs should be placed is in different government department offices and military units to show the chain of command. His or her picture should also be at the airport so that international passenger entering the country know what the president looks like. However, it should not be posted all over the city or the country as if he was god. I went around the country but didn't see a portrait of Prime Minister Tony Blair on the streets of London, Oxford or any other cities in Britain.