The management of the newly refurbished Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park has introduced a new word — ‘Oobakɛ’ — as the official form of welcome at the facility, replacing the widely recognised Ghanaian greetings ‘Akwaaba’ (Akan) and ‘Woezor’ (Ewe).
According to reports, the adoption of Oobakɛ is meant to reflect unity, inclusivity, and a national identity beyond individual ethnic languages.
They argue that the park, which honours Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, should symbolize a shared heritage that transcends ethnic divisions.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Maame Efua Houadjeto released a statement insisting that the Akan greeting ‘Akwaaba’ and the Ewe greeting ‘Woezor’ remained intact at the memorial park, dismissing reports of their replacement with the Ga language equivalent.
Her denial came amid mounting calls from Ga custodians who have argued that their language deserves equal representation on the signage, given that the park sits on Ga land.
Name changed
After public debates, the original ‘Akwaaba’ and ‘Woezor’ inscriptions have been replaced with ‘Oobakɛ’.
Why Oobakɛ?
The term Oobakɛ has been explained as a coined expression meant to embody the spirit of hospitality in a neutral and unifying way.
Authorities at the memorial say it was carefully selected to avoid privileging one Ghanaian language over another, especially at a site that attracts both local and international visitors.
Public reactions
The change has sparked mixed reactions among Ghanaians. Some welcome the idea, saying it encourages a sense of common identity and avoids linguistic bias.
Others, however, view the replacement of Akwaaba and Woezor — both culturally significant greetings — as an unnecessary erasure of Ghana’s indigenous languages.
Cultural commentators have called for more engagement with traditional leaders and language experts to ensure that any new symbols introduced at national monuments reflect Ghana’s rich linguistic heritage without alienating communities.
Figures like Berla Mundi, Giovani Caleb, and Bridget Otoo, among others, have also joined the conversation, sharing their varied opinions online.
Meanwhile, youth groups from the Ga-Dangbe community have ignited a heated debate after calling for the ‘Akwaaba’ sign at Kotoka International Airport to be replaced.
They argued that, since the airport sits on Ga land, the sign greeting visitors should feature the Ga language’s word for welcome.
Background
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, located in Accra, was recently renovated and reopened to the public with new facilities, upgraded infrastructure, and enhanced cultural displays.
It remains one of Ghana’s most important tourist attractions, celebrating the legacy of Nkrumah and Ghana’s independence struggle.
