The General Overseer of Alabaster International Ministries, Prophet Kofi Oduro, has criticised the ongoing online debate over replacing the “Akwaaba” greeting at Kotoka International Airport with the Ga word “Oobake.”
Touching on it, he has labelled the development a distraction from the country’s pressing issues.
In an address to his congregation on Sunday, August 31, 2025, Prophet Oduro expressed frustration that Ghanaians are investing energy in “petty” debates rather than focusing on unity and development.
“We are here debating over pettiness, like a name, a term, fighting over nonsense. There are 52 languages in Ghana; all of them deserve to be printed anywhere.
“We shouldn’t have any kind of prominence of one ethnic group over another,” he said.
Tribalism is pure nonsense’ – Nana Aba Anamoah on ‘Obaake-Akwaaba’ saga
He further lamented a broader problem facing the country, where people tend to prioritise tribalism over merit and character.
He emphasised that Ghana should focus on tangible issues like job creation, infrastructure, and education rather than symbolic debates.
The controversy stems from a proposal to replace “Akwaaba”, a word widely recognised as a symbol of Ghanaian hospitality, with “Oobake,” a Ga-language greeting, at the Kotoka International Airport.
Cultural activist explains the true meaning behind ‘Oobakɛ’
Meanwhile, the Ghana Tourism Authority has denied plans to make this change, but the debate continues to rage on social media and in public discourse.
Watch the video below:
🚨Prophet Dr. Kofi Oduro of Alabaster Ministries has joined the conversation about the ‘Akwaaba’ sign at Kotoka International Airport. He believes that all of Ghana’s languages deserve representation, advocating for their inclusion in public spaces and promoting linguistic… pic.twitter.com/eNV0r3ejns
— MainEchoesofGovernance (@governance49853) August 31, 2025
ID/EB
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
