Afenyo-Markin claims that Dr. J.B. Danquah was pivotal in naming Ghana, asserting it derived from his historical research. However, historians like Yaw Anokye Frimpong refute this assertion, stating the name existed prior to independence, and suggest Danquah favored “Akanman” instead. The discussion highlights divergent views on Ghana’s historical naming.
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, posits that the late Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, recognized as one of the ‘Big Six’ leaders of Ghana’s independence movement, was instrumental in coining the name “Ghana.” His assertion, made during a commemoration event for Danquah’s passing, emphasizes that Danquah based this name on profound research regarding the ethnicities of the inhabitants of the then Gold Coast.
In his remarks, Afenyo-Markin stated that Danquah discovered the historical connection between the people’s ancestry and the ancient Ghana Empire, which he deemed a fitting name. He elaborated that Danquah traveled extensively before independence to identify a name that would encapsulate the history, identity, and heritage of the Gold Coast populace, leading to the adoption of the name “Ghana” to symbolize national pride.
Furthermore, he noted that members of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), which Danquah was a part of, agreed upon the name change from “Gold Coast” to “Ghana” as the country approached independence in 1957. This agreement reflected a broader consensus among leaders seeking a name that would encapsulate the aspirations of the nation.
However, the assertion that J.B. Danquah coined the name “Ghana” has been contested by some historians, such as Yaw Anokye Frimpong. He argued that the name “Ghana” was already in existence prior to independence, citing that the first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, had founded a school named Ghana National College nearly a decade before the country was liberated from British colonial rule.
Frimpong also asserted that historical records indicate Danquah had proposed the name “Akanman” for an independent Gold Coast. He criticized claims regarding Danquah’s authorship of the name “Ghana,” stressing the need to recognize the contributions of other significant figures in Ghana’s history.
In summary, Alexander Afenyo-Markin contends that Dr. J.B. Danquah was central to the naming of Ghana, attributing this to his extensive research and advocacy for a name that reflected the country’s heritage. This view is challenged by historians who argue that the name “Ghana” predates independence and that Danquah had favored another name, indicating a more complex narrative surrounding the nation’s identity. The debate continues, demonstrating the evolving nature of Ghana’s historical discourse.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
