Alexander Afenyo-Markin claims that Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah coined the name “Ghana” based on research linking the Gold Coast’s inhabitants to the ancient Ghana Empire. He asserts that the UGCC decided to replace “Gold Coast” with “Ghana” during the independence movement. However, historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong disputes this assertion, stating that the name existed before independence. The discussions illustrate complex narratives surrounding Ghana’s historical identity.
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, has asserted that Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, known as JB Danquah, was instrumental in coining the name “Ghana”. His statements were made during an event that marked the 60th anniversary of Danquah’s passing on March 9, 2025. Afenyo-Markin indicated that Danquah derived the name through extensive research on the ethnic backgrounds of the Gold Coast’s inhabitants, linking them to the historical Ghana Empire.
The MP emphasized that Dr. Danquah was dedicated to finding a name that appropriately reflected the heritage of the Gold Coast. He stated, “Prior to independence, Dr. Danquah travelled near and far to conduct extensive research on a suitable name that would reflect the history, identity, and heritage of the people of the Gold Coast.” Through his research, Danquah identified a significant connection between the people of the Gold Coast and the ancient Ghana Empire, believing that the name brought a sense of national identity and pride.
Moreover, Afenyo-Markin highlighted that the leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), a group advocating for independence, reached a consensus to adopt “Ghana” as the new name when independence was achieved in 1957. He noted, “The UGCC, formed in 1947 by key figures, agreed to use the name ‘Ghana’ upon independence,” reinforcing the importance of Danquah’s contributions to national identity.
Contrarily, some historians, including Yaw Anokye Frimpong, have disputed Afenyo-Markin’s claims. Frimpong pointed out in an interview that the name “Ghana” predated 1957 and was in use before the nation’s independence. He stated that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah had established the Ghana National College nearly a decade before independence, indicating an existing connection to the name.
Furthermore, Frimpong argued that Danquah himself referred to the proposed name for an independent Gold Coast as “Akanman”. He remarked, “I would never accept any argument to the effect that JB Danquah, who had written in all the thesis that he made, that Ghana should be called Akanman, would metamorphose into becoming the originator of the name Ghana.” This debate illustrates the contrasting views on the historical origin of the nation’s name, reflecting complex narratives surrounding Ghana’s independence.
In summary, Alexander Afenyo-Markin credits Dr. JB Danquah for coining the name “Ghana” based on his research linking the people of the Gold Coast to the ancient Ghana Empire. Afenyo-Markin’s comments underline the significance of Danquah’s efforts in shaping national identity, while historians like Yaw Anokye Frimpong challenge this assertion, noting that the name existed prior to independence. This discourse highlights the multifaceted narratives of Ghana’s historical identity and the ongoing evaluation of its independence heritage.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
