Their Stories, Our History-Why the name Ghana?

By Joe Kingsley Eyiah, OCT, Brookview M. S., Toronto-Canada

“There has never been a movement where the leader has not suffered for the cause and not received the ingratitude of the people. I like the rest am prepared for the consequences”- Marcus Garvey

This March (2012), Ghana celebrates her 55 years of independence from British colonial rule. This great nation of West Africa before its independence on March 6, 1957 was called Gold Coast! Why the name Ghana? Where from it? Is there anything symbolic and relevant in that name?

I would like to take my readers on a brief journey (education) into the history behind the name, Ghana. The stories of those who lived in the sub-region long, long ago have become that history of ours! Yes, the stories of today would become history for those who live tomorrow. And, as Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” I couldn’t agree with him the more!

From the Ancient Ghana to Modern Ghana:

The forefathers of the then Gold Coast led by Osagyefo Dr. Nkrumah chose the name Ghana for the new state from the old Empire of Ghana.

According to research, from ancient times, the Sahara of Africa has been the home to a few but not too well known civilizations. These ancient civilizations included the Ghana civilization established by the Soninke people after the fall of the Songhai Empire in the 3rd Century AD when they regained their land in the region. Earlier as far back as to 2000 BCE, the Soninke people had built the most ancient cultured settlements in Africa. Some of these well-known locations include Tachitt Walata, Tagnant Cliffs, Augadouhst and Kumbi Saleh. The Soninke called their land “Wagadu” or “Ghanata.”

It is on record that the citizens of ancient Ghana including the Soninke and, their kin tribes Mandinke and others they conquered believed in their God King. However, they also believed in spirits who ‘occupy both living and non-living things.’ Hmmm! Does that underscore the religious pluralism in our modern Ghana too?

Anyway, the Soninke people were very skillful and hardworking! They are described in History Forum as, ‘very skilled artisans, craftsmen, workers, agrarian laborers, and even superb wordsmith whose oral griots are mimicked by other local tribes such as the “Mende”. Soninke are thought to be one of the first people to utilize and capitalize on the use of “ironware” in the “Sahelian West African” region.’ What? So citizens of ancient Ghana were very hardworking and even used their words to build a prosperous and peaceful society! Why are we of modern Ghana now seem to be doing exactly the opposite for our motherland? A word to the wise is enough!

The Meaning of ‘Ghana’:

“The Empire of Ghana was called that for the reason that Ghana means king in the Soninke language, Islamic and European scholars named it after the king because it seemed the king controlled everything. Indeed the king of Ghana was very powerful but not a tyrant.

“The King’s power was moderately regulated by those who were in charge of taxes, army, justice, and other duties.”

The foregoing statements about the meaning of Ghana raise serious questions for us, citizens of present Ghana. I dare to ask the following:

1. Did the first King (President) of modern Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah become a tyrant and therefore lost ‘his Ghana’?

2. Is the present King (President) of Ghana, Dr. John Atta-Mills not in control of affairs of our nation, as he ought to be?

3. Are people put in trust of positions of the nation’s economy and our justice system over the years failed and failing Ghana miserably?

4. Is every citizen of Ghana become a King (President) of our motherland by our unbridled tongues and unpatriotic behaviors?

More could be asked but suffice these few questions for the sake of our brief journey into history behind the name ‘Ghana’.

In conclusion, I think Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the pioneers who chose the Ghana for our sovereign country 55 years ago were thoughtful and mindful of its meaning. They knew that Ghana was symbolic of the trade in gold as well as salt, iron textiles and crafts; and hardworking in industry of agriculture as well as good management in governance. Let have faith in the name Ghana and as we celebrate our 55th birthday vow to live up to the good name of Ghana,

Ghana, forward in progress! HAPPY BIRTHDAY.