Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin claims that JB Danquah coined the name “Ghana” through extensive research on the ethnic background of the Gold Coast. He underscores that this change was embraced during the UGCC’s push for independence in 1957. However, historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong contests these assertions, citing that the name “Ghana” existed prior to independence and that Danquah favored the name “Akanman.”
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, proclaimed that the name “Ghana” was coined by the late Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, known as JB Danquah. This assertion was made during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of JB Danquah’s passing on March 9, 2025. Afenyo-Markin noted that Danquah conducted extensive research on the indigenous ethnicities of the former Gold Coast, linkaging them to the ancient Ghana Empire.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that JB Danquah’s diligent research and advocacy brought forth the name “Ghana” to reflect the historical identity of the Gold Coast. He narrated Danquah’s endeavors, which included studies at the British Museum and other libraries focused on primary sources about the region’s ethnic origins. Danquah argued that adopting “Ghana” would nurture a shared national heritage and pride among its citizens.
In addition, Afenyo-Markin explained that leaders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) collectively agreed on the name “Ghana” during their pursuit of independence from colonial rule. According to him, prominent figures like Paa Grant, Danquah, and Edward Akufo-Addo convened to endorse the name change, which was realized upon independence in 1957.
However, some historians dispute Afenyo-Markin’s claims. Yaw Anokye Frimpong stated in an interview that the name “Ghana” predated the country’s independence from Britain in 1957. He noted that the name had been utilized nearly a decade earlier for institutions like the Ghana National College founded by Ghana’s first President Kwame Nkrumah.
Further, Frimpong contested that JB Danquah had originally advocated for the name “Akanman” for the independent Gold Coast. He reflected on Danquah’s political challenges, mentioning his loss of the Abuakwa constituency seat and the honors he received prior to his decline in prominence. Frimpong concluded by reinforcing that any claims about Danquah’s sole authorship of the name “Ghana” were unfounded, given his documented thesis advocating for another name entirely.
The recent statements by Afenyo-Markin assert JB Danquah’s pivotal role in naming Ghana, alleging that it reflects the ancient Ghana Empire’s legacy and the identity of its people. Contrarily, historians like Yaw Anokye Frimpong challenge these claims, presenting evidence that the name “Ghana” was used prior to independence and that Danquah had proposed a different name, highlighting the ongoing debate about historical narratives surrounding Ghana’s identity formation.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
