Linda Ocloo, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, has said the Ga people have every right to raise legitimate concerns following the brouhaha surrounding the proposal to swap the Twi word “Akwaaba” with the Ga expression “Oobakɛ”.
There has been a growing debate on social media, which has been ignited after a Ga activist questioned why the iconic “Akwaaba” greeting at the Kotoka International Airport, and the “Akwaaba” and “Woezor” signage at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, failed to include the Ga language.
The call for change sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Ghanaians weighing in to express their opinion.
According to Linda Ocloo, the Ga people have every right as custodians of the land to advocate for the preservation and promotion of their language and cultural identity.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 29, 2025, the Greater Accra Regional Minister stated, “The Ga people, as custodians of the land on which our capital city stands, have every right to raise legitimate concerns about the preservation and promotion of their language and cultural identity”.
She, however, noted that Ghana’s identity rests on unity in diversity and that all ethnic groups, citing her marriage to an Ewe.
She added, “My own family reflects the diversity that makes Ghana unique, and I stand firmly against any interpretation that seeks to pit one ethnic group against another. This government is here to serve all the people of Ghana without bias”.
“Let it be clear: the preservation of Ga culture is not in opposition to national cohesion. Rather, it is an integral part of our collective identity. Together, we shall continue to uphold our cultural heritage while promoting unity, peace, and development across our beloved nation,” she said.
In addition, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, has warned against the growing disregard for the Ga people.
The Ga Mantse highlighted that there is a need to respect Ga customs and traditions, even within the Greater Accra cosmopolitan setting.
He reiterated the traditional authorities’ commitment to safeguarding peace and harmony in the region.
Speaking at the climax of the 2025 Homowo celebration in Kpone, on Saturday, August 30, 2025, the Ga Mantse stated, “We won’t banish anyone from Accra because we are welcoming by nature, and the least we expect is to be respected and duly honoured.
The Greater Accra Region has been successful as the country’s capital because of the loving nature of the Ga people. It should never happen that we are disrespected for hosting the nation’s capital”, he added.
Read the Press Statement by the Greater Accra Regional Minister
I wish to address the ongoing public discourse concerning the proposed substitution of “Akwaaba” with “Oobakɛ” at the Kotoka International Airport and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
The Ga people, as the custodians of the land on which our capital city stands, have every right to raise legitimate concerns about the preservation and promotion of their language and cultural identity. As Minister, I remain fully committed to ensuring that our cultural heritage, traditions, and linguistic legacy are respected, protected, and preserved for generations to come.
At the same time, it must be emphasised that Ghana is a nation built on unity in diversity. Our strength lies in the coexistence of various ethnic groups whose values and traditions enrich our national identity. Just as the concerns of the Ga people are important, so too would the voices of the Ashanti, the Ewe, and all other ethnic groups be treated with equal seriousness, should they raise legitimate matters in the interest of national harmony.
I was married to an Ewe, and my children proudly bear Ewe names. My own family reflects the diversity that makes Ghana unique, and I stand firmly against any interpretation that seeks to pit one ethnic group against another.
As someone with close family ties to other ethnic communities, I am firmly against any form of tribalism or division. This government is here to work and serve all the people of Ghana without bias. Decisions concerning matters of culture and heritage must therefore be made with sensitivity, broad consultation, and national interest at heart.
In this regard, I assure all stakeholders that the government will engage widely, listen attentively, and pursue a balanced approach that honours the Ga-Dangme heritage while safeguarding the unity and inclusiveness that define us as Ghanaians.
Let it be clear: the preservation of Ga culture is not in opposition to national cohesion. Rather, it is an integral part of our collective identity. Together, we shall continue to uphold our cultural heritage while promoting unity, peace, and development across our beloved nation.
Signed
Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo
Greater Accra Regional Minister