The newly mounted billboard at the entrance of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (KNMP) in Accra has sparked concerns following the omission of the Ga language in its welcome message. The board currently displays greetings in English (Welcome), Ewe (“Woezor”), and Akan (“Akwaaba”), leaving out Ga, the indigenous language of the Ga people, who are the custodians of Accra where the park is located.
Language plays a vital role in cultural identity and inclusivity, especially at a historic site like the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which serves as a national heritage symbol and tourist attraction. For many, the absence of Ga on the billboard represents a disregard for the language and culture of the host community.
Over the years, many concerns have been raised about the neglect of the Ga language, especially within the language policy of education in the Greater Accra Region. Despite being the indigenous language of the capital, Ga has been sidelined while non-native Ghanaian languages such as Asante Twi and Fante have taken center stage in most schools, Twi for instance. This has happened at the expense of Ga and Dangme, both of which hold educational status.
Beyond education, issues surrounding land ownership have further deepened frustrations. It is alleged that the majority of indigenous Ga lands have been taken over by foreigners, leaving the Ga people feeling increasingly marginalized in their own homeland. Against this backdrop, the decision by the executives of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to omit Ga from the welcome billboard has reopened old wounds. For many Gas and their advocates, this act is not just an oversight but a painful reminder of the continuous disregard for their language, culture, and identity.
Cultural advocates and language enthusiasts have described the omission as a missed opportunity to honor the Ga people and showcase Ghana’s linguistic diversity. They argue that if the park is to truly reflect Ghana’s national identity, all major local languages, especially Ga as the native tongue of the capital city, must be visibly acknowledged.
The situation has fueled calls for the management of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to review the signage and ensure the Ga language is included in the welcome message. For a monument dedicated to Ghana’s first President and a site of national pride, many believe that linguistic representation should reflect inclusivity, unity, and respect for all Ghanaian cultures.
The neglect of Ga on such a prominent national symbol has reopened conversations about language marginalization in Accra, where Ga is increasingly under threat from dominance of other Ghanaian languages like Twi and English. Addressing this oversight at the memorial park could be a small but powerful step in reaffirming the importance of preserving and promoting the Ga language in the very heart of Accra.
Editor: Ama Gyesiwaa Quansah
