President Mahama (R) approached the Ga Mantse (L) to exchange pleasantries
President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday, September 6, 2025, engaged in a light-hearted exchange with the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, over the controversial Accra signage inscription “Oobakɛ.”
The interaction took place after the relaunch of the National Sanitation Day (NSD) at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Madina.
Following the event, the president approached the Ga Mantse to exchange pleasantries.
Mahama was heard asking the Ga King about the correct pronunciation of the Ga word that has sparked recent controversy.
“Nii, when we came, I didn’t realise you were seated. It was when the programme started, and I didn’t want to disturb the programme. Thank you very much…how do you say Oobakɛ?” Mahama asked.
The Ga Mantse responded, prompting laughter from the president.
The debate over cultural representation in Accra signage was reignited when the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, expressed reservations about the use of the Ewe greeting “Woezor” on welcome signage in Accra.
Speaking at a media interaction on August 28, 2025, the minister insisted that Ga culture must be respected on Ga-Adangme land.
“This is Greater Accra. Greater Accra is for the Ga people. How can we sit in Greater Accra and expect ‘Woezor’? ‘Woezor’ is for the Voltarians. They have legitimate concerns, and I will support them, why not?” she said.
In a follow-up social media post, Ocloo reaffirmed her stance, stressing her responsibility to safeguard Ga cultural identity, “It’s Ga-Adangme land and I’m the regional minister. I protect the values of all Ga-Adangmes because Greater Accra isn’t just about being a capital. Culturally, we have to accord a high level of respect! It’s a cultural setting. Respect it.”
Cultural activist explains the true meaning behind ‘Oobakɛ’
The minister’s comments came after reports of changes to greetings displayed at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. A video circulating online confirmed that the Akan greeting “Akwaaba” (welcome) and the Ewe greeting “Woezor” had been replaced with the Ga word “Oobakɛ.”
However, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has distanced itself from the changes.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, GTA Chief Executive Officer Maame Efua Houadjeto said the authority did not know about the development.
“We wish to categorically state that at no point has the Ghana Tourism Authority ordered or approved the replacement of the culturally significant greetings’ Woezor’ (in Ewe) and ‘Akwaaba’ (in Akan) with ‘Oobakɛ,’” she clarified.
Ga Mantse’s Appeal, Role of Accra Mayor and Minister: The inside story of ‘Oobake’
Houadjeto further explained that any modifications to such inscriptions would require approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and other relevant agencies.
The development has fueled debate over cultural representation in Accra.
Some members of the Ga community argue that their language has been unfairly excluded from national monuments and infrastructure located on Ga land.
The controversy has even extended to Kotoka International Airport, where campaigners are calling for the iconic “Akwaaba” signage to be replaced with “Oobakɛ.”
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