Afenyo-Markin claims that the name Ghana was coined by JB Danquah through his research into the region’s ethnic origins linked to the ancient Ghana Empire. This assertion is challenged by historians who indicate that the name Ghana existed before independence and that Danquah had proposed a different name, Akanman. The discussion highlights the ongoing conversation regarding Ghana’s historical identity.
The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, posits that the late Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, a prominent figure among the ‘Big Six’, is credited with coining the name “Ghana”. He asserts that JB Danquah arrived at this name through extensive research into the ethnic backgrounds of the inhabitants of the Gold Coast, discovering their connection to the historic Ghana Empire.
Afenyo-Markin elaborated during a recent event commemorating the 60th anniversary of JB Danquah’s passing, highlighting Danquah’s belief that the name Ghana would effectively represent the history and identity of the Gold Coast’s citizens. He stated that Danquah dedicated significant efforts to research that encompassed visits to resources such as the British Museum, where he analyzed primary historical accounts related to the region’s diverse ethnic groups.
According to Afenyo-Markin, leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) reached a consensus to adopt the name “Ghana” in place of “Gold Coast” upon gaining independence in 1957. The UGCC, created in 1947, included influential figures such as Paa Grant and Edward Akufo-Addo, who supported this pivotal name change.
Contrarily, some historians, including Yaw Anokye Frimpong, dispute the assertion that JB Danquah was solely responsible for proposing the name “Ghana”. In a recent interview, Frimpong pointed out that the name was recognized well before independence, citing the establishment of Ghana National College by the nation’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, nearly a decade prior to 1957. This indicates that the name was already in use.
In summary, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin attributes the naming of Ghana to the extensive research and advocacy efforts of Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah. However, this claim is contested by historians who argue that the name predated independence and that Danquah himself proposed the name Akanman for the country. This debate reflects the complex nature of Ghana’s historical narrative and the roles its founding figures played in shaping national identity.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
