Rashad, a prominent voice at GhPage, has called on President John Mahama to immediately dismiss the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, following her endorsement of a campaign to replace the iconic "Akwaaba" greeting at Kotoka International Airport with "Obaake"—the Ga-Dangme equivalent of "Welcome."
The controversy stems from growing calls by some Ga indigenes on social media who argue that the Ga-Dangme language has been marginalized in key national and tourist spaces, despite the fact that many of these sites are located on Ga lands. A notable example includes the newly renovated Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, which features welcome signs in Akan, Ewe, and English—but omits Ga-Dangme.
In her comments to the media, Minister Linda Ocloo voiced strong support for the campaign, stating:
“These are real concerns that need to be addressed, and so I will support them. It’s Ga-Adangme land, and I’m a regional minister. I protect the values of all Ga-Adangmes because Greater Accra isn’t just about being a capital. Culturally, we must show a high level of respect—it’s a cultural setting. Respect it.”
However, Rashad took a firm stance against the minister’s remarks during a segment on the Rash Hour Show. He argued that “Akwaaba” transcends ethnic boundaries and is widely embraced as a national symbol of hospitality. According to him, the greeting is not exclusive to the Asante people but represents a shared Ghanaian identity.
“'Akwaaba' is part of our collective heritage. It’s not just for the Asantes. Attempting to politicize or ethnically categorize such a unifying cultural symbol is divisive,” Rashad asserted.
His passionate call for the minister’s dismissal underscores broader tensions over language representation, cultural preservation, and national unity—issues that continue to stir debate in Ghana’s political and social spheres.
Source: ghpage
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