From ‘Gaga’ to 'Nkran': The fascinating story behind the name of Ghana’s capital Accra

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Frank Agyena-Karikari 1 month ago

Anokye, there are other sources that are more plausible than your explanation. According to what our traditional history tells us, the Ga people as they arrived at their present place were so many that the original inhabitant ...
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Anokye, there are other sources that are more plausible than your explanation. According to what our traditional history tells us, the Ga people as they arrived at their present place were so many that the original inhabitants around the Coast who were possibly Akans looked at the multitude and screamed that who are these people. They look as many as Black Ants which in their language Black Ants means NKRANEE. With time, it became corrupted to NKRAN. So all Akan people refer to the people of Accra as NKRANFO translated literally as the people like the Black Ants.. As to why they became also known as the GA people, I have no idea. Perhaps it might have come from a different language that is not Akan. Even today, Akans go by the explanation of how we came by the name NKRAN to refer to the GA people.
Quaye 1 month ago

Anokye is right

Anokye is right
DotCom 1 month ago

Anokye is obviously fascinating but has he got any evidence of what he says? I am worried about his comments he never backs up with evidence. We all have stories to tell but national stories in historical contexts must be bac ...
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Anokye is obviously fascinating but has he got any evidence of what he says? I am worried about his comments he never backs up with evidence. We all have stories to tell but national stories in historical contexts must be backed by evidence. What if he is wrong and an evidence-based facts come out in the future? Meanwhile people have believed his inaccurate claims. I don’t doubt him and have a lot of respect for him for his attempt to explain our past but I want to see some evidence backing his stories.
prophet mohammed was a sick dog 1 month ago

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FRANKIE 1 month ago

The best source for the origins of the name 'ACCRA' is the leadership of the Ga Traditional Council. This is because there are st least two or three different accounts, some of which have been mentioned here on this forum.

The best source for the origins of the name 'ACCRA' is the leadership of the Ga Traditional Council. This is because there are st least two or three different accounts, some of which have been mentioned here on this forum.
AMARIYA 1 month ago

Ghanaweb must be beheld responsible for spreading Hatred against Muslims' and demeaning Prophet Mohammed. This message is pe-printed and pasted on the comment sections of most articles.
Who can devote all his time doin ...
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Ghanaweb must be beheld responsible for spreading Hatred against Muslims' and demeaning Prophet Mohammed. This message is pe-printed and pasted on the comment sections of most articles.
Who can devote all his time doing this 24 hours everyday? If I was a Muslim, I would sue Ghanaweb.
Ashrifi 1 month ago

Everything in this regime is corrupt; I don't think Anokye Frimpong is normal. Mahama has surrounded himself with all these people. How can you lie to Ghanaians like that? The Ga's immediate neighbors were the Akuapem. The Ga ...
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Everything in this regime is corrupt; I don't think Anokye Frimpong is normal. Mahama has surrounded himself with all these people. How can you lie to Ghanaians like that? The Ga's immediate neighbors were the Akuapem. The Ga word "Nkran" is also an Akuapem word. After his death, this man will be known as the birdbrained historian. What does all this mean?
MOSES FOH AMOAHINNG L.G.B.T.Q ISSUES 1 month ago

THIS MOSES GUY WANNA MAKE HISTORY TELLING HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND THE ONES YET TO BE BORN BY CLAIMING WAS THE ONE AND BRIAN BEHIND IMPOSING
ON US AS GHANIANS SEXUAL AFRICAN CULTURED VALUES, MOSES I KNEW YOU ARE GREAT METHODIST ...
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THIS MOSES GUY WANNA MAKE HISTORY TELLING HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND THE ONES YET TO BE BORN BY CLAIMING WAS THE ONE AND BRIAN BEHIND IMPOSING
ON US AS GHANIANS SEXUAL AFRICAN CULTURED VALUES, MOSES I KNEW YOU ARE GREAT METHODIST FELLOWSHIP MEMBER WHO AND YOUR CRONIES RECEIVES CERTAIN INCENTIVES AND GRANTS FROM WEALTHY RICH WHITES GUYS IN AMERICA WHY WOULDN'T YOU CHANNEL YOUR ANGER AND POSITION BY MAKING CLEAR TO THEM THIS AFRICAN SEXUAL CULTURAL VALUES FOR THEM TO PRACTICE AND BE CLEAR WITH REMMEMBER.THOSE WHITE CHRISTIANS GUYS ARE MORE INTO HOMOSEXUALS EVEN RELATES TO PERSONS, THEREFORE IS THE NEED FOR THEM TO KNOW YOUR AFRICAN SO CALL SEXUAL VALUES BY ALERTING THEM WHENEVER THEY DECIDE OR MAKE UP THEIR MIND TO VISIT THE CONTINENT. RATHER YOU TRYING FORCE THESE CULTURAL VALUES ON US THAT WAS ALREADY BEEN THOUGHT TO US FROM INFANCY..I KNOW YOU SO DESPERATE AND EAGERLY SEE YOUR POOR BLACK BROTHERS AND SISTERS ROT IN JAIL JUST AS YOUR WHITE CHRISTIAN FRIEND'S FOR PARENTS DID TO OUR FATHER'S AND MOTHER'S WAY BACK DURING SLAVERY AND COLONIAL ERA. MR JOHNNY COME LATELY MOSES, THESE YOUR DESIGNED KIND OF OPPRESSION AND DOMINANCE WOULDN'T WORK ON US THIS TIME AROUND .WE ALREADY WELL CULTUED GHANIANS. FORGET IT MOSES
PLAIN JANE 1 month ago

Our oral history is as elastic as the threadbare elastic in my grandfather's jokoto!

Our oral history is as elastic as the threadbare elastic in my grandfather's jokoto!
Bosby 1 month ago

Aaaaahhh hahaha the difficulty in undocumented things in the black African world.
You look at the PINNEL CASE[1602] a whopping 423 years old case still cited in consideration in the Law of Contract!!
We don't document thing ...
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Aaaaahhh hahaha the difficulty in undocumented things in the black African world.
You look at the PINNEL CASE[1602] a whopping 423 years old case still cited in consideration in the Law of Contract!!
We don't document things it's hearsay evidence and the difficulty in
GUY FOX 1 month ago

Your comment deserves 10/10, massa.

Your comment deserves 10/10, massa.
Kwaku Tee 1 month ago

@ Frank Agyena-Karikari
I would accept Frank's source, it sounds more reasonable. Ga ppl joined Gold Coast very late, they had little land.Their host who we were told were Akans, moved away from them bcoz of their populati ...
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@ Frank Agyena-Karikari
I would accept Frank's source, it sounds more reasonable. Ga ppl joined Gold Coast very late, they had little land.Their host who we were told were Akans, moved away from them bcoz of their population. It's factual that Aburi Akwapim land used to stretch as far up to Jamestown. The Aburi ppl were so gracious in giving the Ga ppl some of their land to help them settle, they didn't want to sack them back to Nigeria and Togo.
TAKE OR PAY DEMON 1 month ago

Ga people are not from Togo or Nigeria. They come from the Oti valley area and share similarity with the Konkombas, Kombas, Chambas and Bimobas.They entered into their present location through the Kpetoe area in the Volta Reg ...
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Ga people are not from Togo or Nigeria. They come from the Oti valley area and share similarity with the Konkombas, Kombas, Chambas and Bimobas.They entered into their present location through the Kpetoe area in the Volta Region. It is important to note that the history of the Gas has been influenced by the Alata people who built the Osu Castle and were more educated than the local Gas. It is the same way the Huasas influenced the history of the Dagbon people to make them claim they come from Zamfara in North Western Nigeria.
Okponglo Guy 1 month ago

Tell us more about.

Tell us more about.
Kweku 1 month ago

Pure lies.Gas came from Yoruba land in Nigeria.They are Yourbas.Their names and traditions are still similar till today.The old Gas still speak the Yoruba language with the Ga language.

Pure lies.Gas came from Yoruba land in Nigeria.They are Yourbas.Their names and traditions are still similar till today.The old Gas still speak the Yoruba language with the Ga language.
Kalimba Mozambo 1 month ago

@Kweku
You are a liar. No old GA speaks any Anago language. We came from East of the Suez Canal through Egypt down to the Sudan and Congo to our current home, Greater Accra. The goombay music that we play was adopted during ...
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@Kweku
You are a liar. No old GA speaks any Anago language. We came from East of the Suez Canal through Egypt down to the Sudan and Congo to our current home, Greater Accra. The goombay music that we play was adopted during our stay in the Congo. Stop telling lies.
iNFO 1 month ago

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Kweku 1 month ago

This version is the right one. I have heard this several times

This version is the right one. I have heard this several times
Gomido 1 month ago

ACCRA means " A Coastal City of Rough Africans" Hahaha!

ACCRA means " A Coastal City of Rough Africans" Hahaha!
A bottle of Banku 1 month ago

ANOKYE's explaining about NKRAN is meaning. But ACCRA itself has a different story I guess.

ANOKYE's explaining about NKRAN is meaning. But ACCRA itself has a different story I guess.
Kojo 1 month ago

And GHANA means : GOD HAS APPOINTED NKRUMAH ALREADY.

And GHANA means : GOD HAS APPOINTED NKRUMAH ALREADY.
Broni Panayoti 1 month ago

Thank you very much for your short history on the evolvement of name Gaga into Accra.

Thank you very much for your short history on the evolvement of name Gaga into Accra.
MyBigMouth 1 month ago

Let's just ask the elders of Accra to tell their own story

Let's just ask the elders of Accra to tell their own story
Nana 1 month ago

They will not tell you the truth bcoz they are now fighting over lands that were not supposed to be theirs. Ga ppl used to be tenants of Akans.

They will not tell you the truth bcoz they are now fighting over lands that were not supposed to be theirs. Ga ppl used to be tenants of Akans.
Ojatanaa 1 month ago

Most of his findings are from Google it's nothing new

Most of his findings are from Google it's nothing new
Ghana make hard 1 month ago

It's a lie, we gave them the name NKRAN not them telling us ok

It's a lie, we gave them the name NKRAN not them telling us ok
Tk 1 month ago

youre right, it's the akans who first came to accra and saw many ants and called the place Nkran

youre right, it's the akans who first came to accra and saw many ants and called the place Nkran
King Anwar Sadat 1 month ago

Lawyer Obiri Boahene( Abronye Payin) can explain it more and much better than the confused and biased Historian Anokye

Lawyer Obiri Boahene( Abronye Payin) can explain it more and much better than the confused and biased Historian Anokye
PLAIN JANE 1 month ago

Oolur oral history is as elastic as the threadbare elastic in my grandfather's jokoto!

Oolur oral history is as elastic as the threadbare elastic in my grandfather's jokoto!
Sage 1 month ago

This insane idiot of a historian has lost credibility.

This insane idiot of a historian has lost credibility.
Martin Kreisler 1 month ago

"The name ACCRA originates from the Akan word NKRAN, which means ANTS. This name was given to the area due to the numerous anthills that were prominent in the region. The word NKRAN was later corrupted into ACCRA by European ...
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"The name ACCRA originates from the Akan word NKRAN, which means ANTS. This name was given to the area due to the numerous anthills that were prominent in the region. The word NKRAN was later corrupted into ACCRA by European traders, specifically the Portuguese, who had trouble pronouncing the local name".

In Akan (specifically Twi), the word Nkrani (or more commonly in the plural form Nkrane or Nkran) means ants, specifically driver ants or soldier ants.

"Evolution: The name was later adapted and corrupted by European traders. Danish traders were among the first to adopt the name AKRA which eventually evolved into the current ACCRA".

From earlier Historical Accounts (prior to Mr. Anokye), it is the name NKRAN, which refers to ants and not GA or the original name GAGA. Also the corruption of the name was from Nkran to Akra by the European settlers; and not from Ga or Gaga to Nkran or Accra by the indegenous coastal dwellers (Akans/Guans)
AMARIYA 1 month ago

ACCRA TO BECOME GAGA

I am leaving for Gaga. Gaga Stadium. Gaga airport, what is the capital city of Ghana? Gaga.
The president of Ghana lives in Gaga.
OBAAKE GAGA

ACCRA TO BECOME GAGA

I am leaving for Gaga. Gaga Stadium. Gaga airport, what is the capital city of Ghana? Gaga.
The president of Ghana lives in Gaga.
OBAAKE GAGA
Martin Kreisler 1 month ago

"The name ACCRA originates from the Akan word NKRAN, which means ANTS. This name was given to the area due to the numerous anthills that were prominent in the region. The word NKRAN was later corrupted into ACCRA by European ...
read full comment

"The name ACCRA originates from the Akan word NKRAN, which means ANTS. This name was given to the area due to the numerous anthills that were prominent in the region. The word NKRAN was later corrupted into ACCRA by European traders, specifically the Portuguese, who had trouble pronouncing the local name".

In Akan (specifically Twi), the word Nkrani (or more commonly in the plural form Nkrane or Nkran) means ants, specifically driver ants or soldier ants.

Other earlier historical accounts claim the name was given because of the way the Gas arrived in 'Accra'; in long columns like (black) SOLDIER ANTS.

"Evolution: The name was later adapted and corrupted by European traders. Danish traders were among the first to adopt the name AKRA which eventually evolved into the current ACCRA".

From earlier Historical Accounts (prior to Mr. Anokye), it is the name NKRAN, which refers to ants and not GA or the original name GAGA. Also the corruption of the name was from Nkran to Akra by the European settlers; and not from Ga or Gaga to Nkran or Accra by the indegenous coastal dwellers (Akans/Guans)
Martin Kreisler 1 month ago

There appears to be some contradiction with earlier historical accounts here.

"The name ACCRA originates from the Akan word NKRAN, which means ANTS. This name was given to the area due to the numerous anthills that were pr ...
read full comment

There appears to be some contradiction with earlier historical accounts here.

"The name ACCRA originates from the Akan word NKRAN, which means ANTS. This name was given to the area due to the numerous anthills that were prominent in the region. The word NKRAN was later corrupted into ACCRA by European traders, specifically the Portuguese, who had trouble pronouncing the local name".

In Akan (specifically Twi), the word Nkrani (or more commonly in the plural form Nkrane or Nkran) means ants, specifically driver ants or soldier ants.

Other earlier historical accounts claim the name was given because of the way the Gas arrived in 'Accra'; in long columns like (black) SOLDIER ANTS.

"Evolution: The name was later adapted and corrupted by European traders. Danish traders were among the first to adopt the name AKRA which eventually evolved into the current ACCRA".

From earlier Historical Accounts (prior to Mr. Anokye), it is the name NKRAN, which refers to ants and not GA or the original name GAGA. Also the corruption of the name was from Nkran to Akra by the European settlers; and not from Ga or Gaga to Nkran or Accra by the indegenous coastal dwellers (Akans/Guans)
Nii Adu 1 month ago

Accra means the city of son god.

Accra means the city of son god.
BOY KOFI 1 month ago

From the short history book of Ghana,we were told that the Gas came from Nigeria.
They were Yorubas and Igbos as also called Alata people.
Some of them settled at the James town and others at Osu.
This is the reason why ...
read full comment

From the short history book of Ghana,we were told that the Gas came from Nigeria.
They were Yorubas and Igbos as also called Alata people.
Some of them settled at the James town and others at Osu.
This is the reason why we have the Ussher fort at James town and Christianbourg Castle at Osu.
I'll not in any way disputing lawyer Anokye Frimpong's account.
Tnx.
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Kobina Ebo 1 month ago

CLEANINGNESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS. PLEASE COUNTRYMEN KEEP GHANA CLEAN. GALAMSEYERS PLEASE REPENT .DO NOT LITTER.. KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN. THE ALMIGHTY GOD IS GOOD. GO WILL BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA. ALL HANDS ON ...
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CLEANINGNESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS. PLEASE COUNTRYMEN KEEP GHANA CLEAN. GALAMSEYERS PLEASE REPENT .DO NOT LITTER.. KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN. THE ALMIGHTY GOD IS GOOD. GO WILL BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA. ALL HANDS ON DECK. REMAIN BLESSED
Nkm 1 month ago

Stop entertain this man at any FM stations what he said 3to asumu how can nkrani turns to Accra go to nana obiri boahen to teach you well

Stop entertain this man at any FM stations what he said 3to asumu how can nkrani turns to Accra go to nana obiri boahen to teach you well
Kobina Ebo 1 month ago

CLEANINGNESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS. PLEASE COUNTRYMEN KEEP GHANA CLEAN. GALAMSEYERS PLEASE REPENT .DO NOT LITTER.. KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN. THE ALMIGHTY GOD IS GOOD. GO WILL BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA. ALL HANDS ON ...
read full comment

CLEANINGNESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS. PLEASE COUNTRYMEN KEEP GHANA CLEAN. GALAMSEYERS PLEASE REPENT .DO NOT LITTER.. KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN. THE ALMIGHTY GOD IS GOOD. GO WILL BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA. ALL HANDS ON DECK. REMAIN BLESSED
Yaw 1 month ago

Cock and Bull story. Between Gaga and Nkran which one was easier for the whites to pronounce? Why will the Gas themselves also change or accept Nkran as their name? It doesn't add up for me. Even Ewes call Accra, Ge, which i ...
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Cock and Bull story. Between Gaga and Nkran which one was easier for the whites to pronounce? Why will the Gas themselves also change or accept Nkran as their name? It doesn't add up for me. Even Ewes call Accra, Ge, which is closer to Ga than Nkran. Akan hegemony bulshit.
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Nii Adamafio 1 month ago

Meaning Accra was given by our colonial masters. No wonder we are fond of their language

Meaning Accra was given by our colonial masters. No wonder we are fond of their language
Kofi Ghanaba 1 month ago

The Anokye Frimpong guy lawyer says Ga people were called Gaga.Let me tell you he has his own opinion.Ga people know their original name.It is not for an Akan or a Latter Day Saint to tell Gas their history.The man is lost in ...
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The Anokye Frimpong guy lawyer says Ga people were called Gaga.Let me tell you he has his own opinion.Ga people know their original name.It is not for an Akan or a Latter Day Saint to tell Gas their history.The man is lost in Wonderland.
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Kweku 1 month ago

The name Accra comes from the Portuguese word for market 'Agora'. The word has been corrupted over time to 'Accra'.

The name Accra comes from the Portuguese word for market 'Agora'. The word has been corrupted over time to 'Accra'.
Ghanabi Kofi 1 month ago

"Agora' is a Greek word for market place not a Portuguese word please.

"Agora' is a Greek word for market place not a Portuguese word please.
Patriot 1 month ago

It appears everyone's version including the historian is all based on oral history which makes it hard to ascertain the facts. So where's the official scholarship or national repository of the one source of truth of such hist ...
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It appears everyone's version including the historian is all based on oral history which makes it hard to ascertain the facts. So where's the official scholarship or national repository of the one source of truth of such historical facts? Are we going to just pass on such divergent oral histories or even stories to future generations? Not very wise
NYEBRO 1 month ago

BEACH SHITTERS.

BEACH SHITTERS.
Chris Milan 1 month ago

You are a LIAR no Britishman will ever pronounce a name begining with N to A they will never put Nkran to Akran or whatsoever please spare us your LIES..........

You are a LIAR no Britishman will ever pronounce a name begining with N to A they will never put Nkran to Akran or whatsoever please spare us your LIES..........
Addai-Sebo 1 month ago

What did the "Gas" call themselves before the Akuapems welcomed them and offered them land to settle?

What did the "Gas" call themselves before the Akuapems welcomed them and offered them land to settle?
Sam Fante warrior. 1 month ago

Who is this bush man always want to corrupt innocents Ghanaians with his fake history, when our grandparents were sitting in the classroom this idiots bush people grandparents were chased rat in the bush and today this monkey ...
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Who is this bush man always want to corrupt innocents Ghanaians with his fake history, when our grandparents were sitting in the classroom this idiots bush people grandparents were chased rat in the bush and today this monkeys want to tell us the history of the Gold Coast and Ghana ?. We Fantes saw many people are trooping to our land like ant and that's why we call them nkran. They were two haunters one of them saw them coming and he said to the other look some people like nkran are coming from the Sea by canon.

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From ‘Gaga’ to 'Nkran': The fascinating story behind the name of Ghana’s capital Accra

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