Much ado about ‘welcome’
Last week, images on social media platforms of a sign to welcome visitors to the Kwame Memorial Park in Accra quickly snowballed into an emotion-driven ethnic debate on social and traditional media that drew in MTN’s ‘Akwaaba’ sign at the arrivals section of the Kotoka International Airport.
Ironically, violent ethnic clashes in parts of the country seem not to have attracted much commentary.
Deeper issues
As I followed the vitriolic ethnic exchanges on social media last week over this issue, it became apparent that far from being much ado about nothing, it speaks to much deeper ethnic tensions that the state has not paid much attention to, or done much about in decades, behaving instead like the proverbial ostrich.
Over the years, there have been rumblings within sections of the Ga community, custodians of the land on which the capital is sited, that they have been marginalised on their own land, thereby generating a certain resentment.
The decline of the teaching of the Ga language in basic schools in Accra is one of the touchy issues.
Of course, as with all capital cities that also double as commercial hubs, Accra is a magnet that draws swathes of people from other parts of the country, chasing their dreams and seeking economic redemption.
To many, Accra is Ghana and Ghana is Accra, because that is where all the ‘action’ is.
Inevitably, the demographic and, therefore, the linguistic dynamics conspire to give a sense to the natives of being overrun and swamped, to the point of feeling like minorities on their own land, in return for ‘sacrificing’ their prime lands to the state to host the capital for infrastructural development purposes.
In the process of mass migration and its consequences, both language and land, two very touchy issues that are intrinsic to cultural identity, became raw, sore points of engagement in a way that perhaps others may not see the same way because it is not their lived experience.
I believe that is what is manifesting itself today, and it is important to understand and appreciate this legitimate perspective and tackle it decisively.
‘Linguistic nationalisation’
That said, I think it is also important to recognise the brutal reality that in the specific case of the Akan word ‘akwaaba’ (welcome), which seems to have caused all this angst, it has over the years transcended ethnic boundaries to assume a national outlook that has served the nation well as a brand.
This is simply because of the numerical advantage that Akans have (about 47 per cent of the population) together with their migratory patterns both nationally and internationally.
As most Ghanaians of whatever ethnicity who have travelled or lived abroad would tell you, once you meet a foreigner who is familiar with Ghana, the first thing they are likely to say to try to bond with you, upon realisation that you are Ghanaian, is the Akan ‘ete sen?’ (how are you?).
From MTN’s commercial marketing perspective, therefore, its ‘akwaaba’ sign at the airport makes strategic sense.
Equally, several Ga words are used everywhere in Ghana even by people who do not speak a word of Ga and may not even be aware of their origins.
These include ‘trotro’, ‘akpeteshie’, ‘charlie wote’, ‘kwashiokor’, ‘shitto’, ‘ayekoo’ and many others.
Beyond ‘akwaaba’, other Akan words like ‘dumsor’, ‘obroni’ and others also come to mind.
This ‘linguistic nationalisation’ beyond ethnic confines in my view is a positive indication of ethnic cordiality rooted in intra-migration, intermarriages, commerce and other historical factors.
However, the state must work hard to prevent some of these simmering tensions from bursting to the surface.
Golden age of yesteryear
In the 1980s and 90s, one of my favourite parts during TV coverage of state events in Accra was the pouring of libation by Ga priests clad in white.
Of course, I did not understand a word but the words ‘tswa omanye aba’ liberally repeated during the process had a nice ring to them.
Then there was the fantastic Wulomei musical group which made me fall in love with Ga music, with hits such as ‘Meridian’.
I did not know the lyrics so I butchered them anyway.
Their 1974 hit ‘Gyae Nsa Nom’ (stop drinking) was sang entirely in Twi.
On GBC Radio One, with its nationwide coverage, there were news broadcasts in several local languages. Showcase and Adult Education on TV in the various local languages also fostered inclusivity.
Sadly, we do not do libation at state events any longer, and the explosion in television channels, with irrelevant foreign drama shows, quack herbalists and dodgy pastors has over the years eroded the cultural significance of the vintage programmes of yesteryear.
Whatever one thinks of General Acheampong’s government back in the 1970s, it made strong efforts to create a sense of common national identity and pride, with the national pledge sang every weekday just before the 7pm TV news.
The government’s ‘One Nation, One People, One Destiny’ slogan also screamed from signboards dotted around the country, part of the Charter of National Redemption.
Sadly, as with many facets of our national life, we seem to have lost our way since then and ethnic tensions seem to be getting worse, with partisan politics playing a role.
Harnessing diversity
‘Akwaaba’ has travelled too far beyond the Akans to become an international brand representing Ghana to be sacrificed on the altar of sentiment.
But a matter of respect and courtesy for the custodians of land in our capital, I strongly believe ‘oobake’, the Ga word for ‘welcome’, should have a place among our national symbols and in public spaces where we seek to welcome visitors.
These two words, possibly together with the other government-sponsored local languages that are supported by Bureau of Ghana Languages can and should find space alongside ‘Welcome’.
It is a small step towards consolidating a robust nation proudly thriving on its diversity and celebrating it.
If the tongue and the teeth can find the space to coexist, so can we as a people.
Rodney Nkrumah-Boateng.
E-mail: rodboat@yahoo.com
