By: Jacob Aggrey
The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra is one of Ghana’s most important national monuments. It is where citizens and foreign leaders come to honour the memory of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
For years, the entrance has welcomed visitors with the words “Akwaaba” in Akan and “Woezor” in Ewe. These greetings are more than words. They symbolize Ghana’s cultural diversity and are widely recognized both locally and internationally.
Recently, however, a video went viral claiming that the signs had been changed to read only “Oobakɛ,” the Ga word for “welcome.” This sparked heated debate.
Some praised the recognition of Ga culture since the mausoleum sits on Ga land in Accra. Others feared it meant Akan and Ewe were being sidelined.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) quickly denied any such change, clarifying that no approval had been given and that the signs remain unchanged. Officials stressed that altering a national monument’s signage requires government approval and that the current greetings reflect Ghana’s cultural diversity.
But even if the signs had been changed, the question is: why? Accra is not only Ga land; it is Ghana’s capital and the most cosmopolitan part of the country.
More than 5.4 million people live in the Greater Accra Region—almost the same as Ashanti Region and far more than Volta. People from all ethnic groups call the city home.
That makes Accra a national melting pot, and the mausoleum a national edifice, not a regional one.
It is also important to remember that this monument is not only for Ghanaians. It welcomes visitors from all over the world, including presidents and dignitaries.
Earlier this year, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and paid tribute to Dr. Nkrumah. When visitors arrive, they expect to feel the spirit of Ghana as a whole, not only one culture.
“Akwaaba” and “Woezor” are words many Ghanaians and foreigners recognize. Taking them down would risk excluding others and weakening the national image the mausoleum is supposed to project.
Of course, promoting Ga culture is important. But it should be done in a way that unites rather than divides. A better idea would be to add “Obakɛɛ” to the existing greetings, not replace them.
A sign that says “Akwaaba, Woezor, Obakɛɛ” would show Ghana’s true diversity. It would respect the Ga community while keeping the monument inclusive for all.
The bigger truth is that promoting culture should never come at the expense of national unity.
The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum is a symbol of Ghana as a whole. Our strength as a nation lies in our diversity, and our monuments should reflect that proudly. If “Akwaaba” and “Woezor” are not broken, why fix them?
One Response
You are talking about diversity which is great but remember that the facility is on Ga land and isn’t it surprising that the Ga word for welcome was not added to the 9thers? Go to facilities in some other regions and see whether they will even allow another language to be used as a signage. Never. Accra being a capital shouldn’t deny the native language to be sidelined. It should be added including the welcome signage at the Kwame Nkrumah International Airport. We have ‘akwaaba’ at the International Airport in Kumasi so we also need to have ‘obakɛ’ added to welcome too in Accra.