Media personality MzGee has waded into the ongoing controversy over the visibility of the Ga language in Accra, stressing that the concerns of the indigenous people of the capital city regarding the ‘Akwaaba’ and Oobakɛ’ controversy are justified.
Speaking on her Gee O’Clock show, MzGee recalled her childhood experience of living and schooling in Teshie.
She recalled that in 1998, she was taught Ga as part of the curriculum at Sunrise School, something that left her surprised at reports that today many pupils in Accra are given the option to study Akan or Ewe instead.
“How did we get here? Because if I, as far back as 1998, was learning Ga in school, then what changed? Nobody can tell me the Gas doesn’t have a justified case. It is unfair to ignore the custodians of the land. How did we come to people’s land and dictate what should happen there? This is not done anywhere,” she said.
MzGee admitted she had never encountered the Ga greeting “Oobakɛ” during her school years, unlike other expressions she learned, such as common greetings and days of the week.
She questioned whether this could be due to a lack of proactiveness on the part of the community.
“Could it be that the Ga have not made their greetings and expressions prominent? If Oobakɛ had been consistently put in our faces, like Akwaaba has been, it would have been easier for people to embrace,” she said.
Fighting over Akwaaba and Oobakɛ gives opportunity to tribal bigots – Nana Aba Anamoah
Her comments come amid calls from some groups over the absence of their language on major public monuments.
The matter gained attention when Akan and Ewe greetings appeared on the welcome signage at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, but Ga was excluded. Following public backlash, the signage was altered.
Campaigners later turned their focus to the Kotoka International Airport, demanding that the word “Akwaaba” be replaced with “Oobakɛ.” Images circulated online appeared to show the signage had changed, although reports suggest that the change was fake.
MzGee, however, stated that the debate is more than just about signage but about fairness, respect, and cultural preservation.
“Yes, Accra is cosmopolitan, but don’t take advantage of unity to stamp your culture over mine. Respect my heritage, and I’ll respect yours. Language is heritage, and when you erase a people’s heritage, you erase their identity,” she stated.
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