Signage at the KIA (L) and Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum (R)
“Oobakɛ,” “Akwaaba,” and “Woezor” have been trending in recent days after some netizens took to social media to express dissatisfaction with the use of “Akwaaba” as the welcome inscription at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and other state facilities in Accra.
The discussion, sparked by an X account identified as “The Ga Union,” argued that the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and other facilities such as the Kotoka International Airport are located on Ga land, and therefore, welcome signage should be displayed in the Ga language instead.
Following the post, some netizens have joined in the conversation to express their different opinions.
Yaa Yeboah claps back at Shatta Wale
Individuals such as Berla Mundi, Giovani Caleb, and Bridget Otoo, among others, have also joined in the discussion as they express different views online.
Sports journalist, Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, in a post shared on X, noted that instead of changing the “Akwaaba” signage at the Kotoka International Airport, the country should rather have multiple Ghanaian languages as a sign of unity.
Meanwhile, Bridget Otoo, a Presidential Staff member responsible for Government Communications, also noted that there is nothing wrong with the government changing the “Akwaaba” to “Oobakɛ” since the airport is situated on Ga land.
Read more reactions from netizens below:
I studied Ga from primary to JHS and I never came across ‘Oobake’ It doesn’t even ring a tiny bell in my head.
Marketing is key, this is not it. pic.twitter.com/AeDjlcqbb1
— Dr. Samuel Sesah (@samuel_sesah) August 28, 2025
Why can’t we just have “welcome” written in multiple languages? I’ve seen that in many international airports.
Akwaaba
Oobake
Woezor
Marhaba
Welcome
Bienvenue https://t.co/KEiuZ2oSZl— Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo (@Fentuo_) August 28, 2025
A kumasi international airport with WOEZOR boldly written at arrival.
Will it sit well with Asantes? Simple yes or no. Thanks. https://t.co/k3Okt8mUkb
— DKB GHANA (@dkbghana) August 27, 2025
Change the Akwaaba but maintain the English word Welcome. Mental slavery.
— CURTIS A. OWUSU (@_i_am_Curtis) August 27, 2025
What do you mean?
What happened to change?“Akwaaba” is more than just a signpost at the airport.
When you travel outside Ghana and tell someone that you are from Ghana, the first two words they often say are “Akwaaba” and “Chale.”
Let’s put an end to tribalism; it’s becoming overwhelming.
— EL-DAD (@ChristDeKing) August 27, 2025
We have done enough for the state, and we, the Ga-Dangme people, deserve to be respected.
This is known as the Greater Accra Region. Ghana’s capital city. The magnificent Land of the Ga-Dangme people.
Obaakɛ Suɔlɔi…@thegaunion pic.twitter.com/LgRyGF7PRw
— The Ga Union (@thegaunion) August 27, 2025
How will Akwaaba be broken? Or Oobake, isn’t embracing change? Or now change is a problem? https://t.co/nlmHnziTOM
— Bee 🐝 (@Bridget_Otoo) August 28, 2025
Oobake what a beautiful name!
😊😊😊
— Bee 🐝 (@Bridget_Otoo) August 28, 2025
JHM/EB
Meanwhile, meet the young Ghanaian artist turning bodies into powerful art:
