The Debate on the Origin of Ghana’s Name: JB Danquah’s Legacy Examined

Alexander Afenyo-Markin claims that JB Danquah coined the name “Ghana” through research linking the Gold Coast to the ancient Ghana Empire. This assertion is contested by historians like Yaw Anokye Frimpong, who argues that the name existed before independence and that Danquah proposed “Akanman” instead. Frimpong’s perspective emphasizes the prior establishment of the name in educational contexts by figures like Kwame Nkrumah.

Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the Member of Parliament for Effutu, has stated that the late Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, widely recognized as JB Danquah, is responsible for coining the name “Ghana.” Afenyo-Markin explained that JB Danquah derived this name following extensive research conducted on the ethnic groups present in the former Gold Coast.

In remarks made during an event commemorating the 60th anniversary of JB Danquah’s passing on March 9, 2025, Afenyo-Markin asserted that Danquah discovered that the inhabitants of the Gold Coast traced their origins back to the ancient Ghana Empire, leading him to propose it as an appropriate name for the country.

The Member of Parliament indicated that Danquah’s rigorous efforts prior to independence included traveling extensively and studying historical sources at institutions such as the British Museum. This research revealed a vital link between the ethnic groups and the Ghana Empire, which Danquah believed would symbolize national strength, heritage, and pride.

Moreover, Afenyo-Markin elaborated on the consensus reached by the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), which included prominent figures such as Paa Grant and Edward Akufo-Addo, to adopt the name ‘Ghana’ as the nation transitioned from colonial rule. This decision was ultimately ratified upon the nation’s independence in 1957.

Conversely, some historians, including Yaw Anokye Frimpong, have contested Afenyo-Markin’s assertion. Frimpong emphasized that the name “Ghana” predated the country’s independence, having been utilized by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah for a school named Ghana National College nearly a decade earlier.

Frimpong asserts that Danquah had initially suggested the name “Akanman” for an independent Gold Coast. He criticized the narrative that solely attributes the name “Ghana” to Danquah, presenting evidence of Nkrumah’s prior use of the term within the educational sphere long before freedom from British rule was achieved.

Furthermore, he highlighted Danquah’s defeat in the Abuakwa constituency election, stating that Danquah’s prominence waned following this setback. Frimpong noted the establishment of Ghana National College occurred nine years before independence, thus contributing to his argument against Danquah being recognized as the originator of the name “Ghana.”

In summary, while Afenyo-Markin credits JB Danquah with formulating the name “Ghana” through dedicated research and collaboration with the UGCC, historians like Yaw Anokye Frimpong challenge this claim. Frimpong maintains that the name existed prior to independence and highlights Danquah’s own suggested alternative name, thus setting the stage for an important discourse on Ghana’s historical nomenclature and its implications for national identity.

Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com