(L–R) Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ga Mantse, and Accra Mayor
The leading conversation among Ghanaians, especially on social media, is the debate over changing welcome greetings in languages other than Ga in public spaces across the national capital, Accra.
The discussion started following reports that the welcome signage at Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park had been changed from other local languages to the Ga language.
Viral videos confirm that the Akan greeting “Akwaaba” and the Ewe greeting “Woezor” on the park’s signage have been replaced with the Ga greeting “Oobake”, a move the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has distanced itself from.
More videos show the “Akwaaba” greeting at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) also being changed to “Oobake.”
Minister fumes over use of Ewe greeting on Accra welcome signage
The move has divided public opinion. Critics argue it smacks of tribalism, while supporters say it seeks to preserve the cultural identity of the Ga-Adangbe people.
Why the change?
Ga traditional authorities and statesmen have long complained about the dominance of other local languages at the expense of Ga.
The King of the Ga State, Ga Mantse King Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has repeatedly warned that the Ga language is under threat.
In June 2023, he highlighted that the language was no longer widely taught in schools within the Greater Accra Region and called for urgent intervention.
“The Ga language has been threatened in recent years. Many schools do not teach Ga anymore in the Greater Accra Region. This poses a risk to our culture because we evolve from it. We are asking that trained teachers be posted to our Ga communities,” he said.
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Ayikoi Otoo, in April 2023, lamented what he called a calculated attempt to diminish the Ga language’s influence even in its homeland.
“Like the people in Canada, lands taken from indigenous groups like the Innuits are recognised at every function. In Accra, we also have our gods, customs, and traditions. Why is it that in Accra, this is ignored, yet we import other people to perform?” he questioned.
Ga Mantse to change Greater Accra to ‘Ga-Adangbe Region’
Who is behind the current move?
It appears the current leadership of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly has responded to the Ga Mantse’s calls to preserve their culture.
Although no official statement has been made by the Assembly, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has indicated that the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, is spearheading the initiative.
She revealed that she tasked the Mayor with changing signage in different local languages across Accra to the Ga dialect.
The Minister expressed full support for the move, emphasising that it is aimed at preserving Ga culture and that the calls from her constituents are legitimate.
Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, highlights the cultural significance of using ‘Woezor’ and ‘Akwaaba’ to warmly welcome visitors to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. #CitiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/hr4DKnkuIx
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) August 28, 2025
Ga Mantse educates public on pronunciation of ‘Oobake’
Following the move, a video has emerged of the Ga Mantse educating the public on how to properly pronounce the new welcome greeting, “Oobake.”
At a recent event, the King urged Accra residents to use “Oobake” instead of “Akwaaba.”
“And to Accra, the heartbeat of the nation, we say ‘Oobake’. So, instead of saying Akwaaba, we are saying ‘Oobake’,” he said to applause from the gathering.
BAI/MA
GhanaWeb’s latest documentary, Sex for Fish, that explores the plights of teenage girls in coastal communities, all in an attempt to survive, is out. Watch it below:
