Category: Living in Ghana

Despite the country's republican structure, it has preserved its monarchical traditions up till today. Kings and queens have played a significant role in the history of the country and continue to do so. Names like Kwamena Ansah II, Prempeh I, Kobina Ghartey, Kwadjo Deh, Nii Tackie, Ofori Atta and Oheneba Brew are all in living memory for their wisdom, foresight and patriotism. Chieftaincy has never had anything to do with folklore. Chiefs have always been the custodians of tribal culture, order and unity; they have always been promoters of continuity to their people. In times of adversity, the best of them have stood up courageously to fight against foreign tutelage. The Chief, who is actually a king, does not possess any absolutist hold over citizens, he is governed by clearly defined but unwritten.

This is why the coexistence of tradition and modernity in Ghana is considered natural. Today, royalty does not direct political power but nobody does anything in the Ghanaian society without paying due respect to traditional rulers, not even the government. Every hamlet, village, town, city or district has its royal representatives who wield traditional authority. The government recognized this important role long ago and has found a way to let their influence flow into the mainstream of political life. Every region has a House of Chiefs, which in turn sends a delegate to the National House of Chiefs, authorized to advise government on decisions affecting social life and culture in general.

« Outdooring and naming

Outdooring new babies is a ceremony typical amongst almost all tribes in Ghana and involves the practice of formally presenting a new-born child to the gods, society and dead ancestors. It usually takes place on the 8th day after birth, when it is thought that enough time has elapsed for the child to prove that it is healthy and has the will to continue living. Until then, custom does not permit the new-born to be brought outside the threshold of its abode. In days gone by; and even now in many communities, evil spirits, ghosts and other negative influences in the elements were believed to adversely affect the health of the child. The 8th day is thus the time to give thanks to all those who deserve it. Relatives, mostly sisters and friends of the child's father are invited for the ceremony. One of the respectable people present would be called upon to pour libation to God through the gods and dead ancestors, thanking them for their protection and benevolence. The baby is carried into the open for the first time and formally introduced to the elements: wind, earth, firmament and all unseen living things.

Very important and still of significance in society is the naming ceremony. This can take place independent of the outdooring ceremony; if a child's parents so wish. Otherwise, it is often joined to the Outdooring ceremony already described above.

According to Ghanaian custom, every child must get at least a second name in addition to the day names like Kobina, Kojo, Kofi, Akosua, Ama, Esi etc. The second name is often that of a respected relative, dead or alive and helps in tracing genealogy. Sometimes the names of unrelated people of great standing in the society are chosen as a sign of reverence. Confusing to foreigners is the fact that children may not necessarily bear the names of their parents. The belief is that is that a child will take over all the positive qualities of the personality he/she is named after.

Both the Outdooring and Naming ceremonies are relatively short and simple but what then follows can be described as being typical: sumptuous food is served and there is usually more than enough to drink. Music and dance take their due place of prominence. Attendees of such functions may bring along presents for the child or simply donate money. On such occasions, it is usual for people to dress up in their best traditional attire.

« Kofi and Ama

Ghana's monarchies »

Ghanaians tend to have the same first names. [Get yours] There is a good and very simple reason for this. There are only fourteen main names to choose from: seven for males and seven for females. Anyone can tell on which day of the week a person was born just by hearing a name. For the biggest part of the Ghanaian population (almost the whole of Southern Ghana), names are given according to the day of birth.

The apparent confusion that could arise out of this fact is cleverly avoided by either forming derivatives from the original names, by adding to standard names or replacing them with names of respected ancestors, dead or alive. Should this still be confusing, children are named in the order of birth: the first, the second, the third, etc. or a combination of the two. For instance, if four children are born to a couple, all of them boys, all of them born on Friday, this is how they would be named: Kofi, Kofi Manu (the second Kofi), Kofi Mensa (the third Kofi), and Kofi Annan (the fourth Kofi). Does that ring a bell? This tells us that the former United Nations secretary-general, Kofi Annan was either the fourth of four boys born on Friday or he was named after somebody called Annan, probably his own father or grandfather.

Another way of disentangling the names knot is by adopting names signifying the period or circumstances in which a person was born. For example; Nyamekye (God-given), where the child was not expected. Ababio (the returnee) after losing an earlier child of the same sex.

Names are given according to one's day of birth

Whilst visiting Ghana, adopt one of the day-based names, ideally one of those for your day of birth – and mesmerize the locals 🙂

« The Ghanaian

Outdooring and naming »

The Ghanaian is a lover of fun in any form and shows her sense of humor at the least "provocation". She is a born dancer and will dance at the least opportunity. Ghanaian towns and cities are therefore full of music. She is friendly and so generous that she is often affronted when a visitor refuses her gifts. Despite her generosity, she does not like it when visitors criticize her country whatever the case may be and feels herself somehow disgraced even if she recognizes the truth in the criticism. She would like to do the criticism herself.

"Akwaaba" – meaning 'Welcome'. This is a word you will hear often in Ghana. Whereas the art of greeting is quite ritualized in other parts of Africa, it is not as complicated in Ghana. Shaking hands is the traditional way of either saying hello or greeting friends, relatives or strangers. It may be followed by a few inquiries about the health of other family members but it depends on the degree of familiarity. Greeting has a very high social importance in Ghana and in Africa generally and it is a blunder not to greet. Not greeting always produces a negative reaction. Whilst in Ghana, get into the habit of greeting people you encounter – even if casually. It may be the key to many friendships. The most hard-faced pedestrian will suddenly become friendly immediately he or she is greeted. The normal practice is that the one who moves towards someone standing or sitting usually greets first. This means that it is the tourist who will often have to begin. It is also his best chance. It is important not to forget that a handshake is always proffered with the right hand. The left hand always symbolizes impoliteness.

If you visit a Ghanaian home, you will be offered a seat after the initial pleasantries. After taking a seat, the lady of the house or her child or house help will appear with glass of water. This is traditional and means you are welcome. The offer to drink has nothing to do with thirst and it is bad taste to refuse it, since refusal means distrust. If you are not thirsty, just nip at the glass as a sign of respect to the host and that will be alright.

By custom, the host opens the conversation by asking the visitor to relate briefly what the purpose of the visit is. The host then follows with a short account of what happened lately with his or her household. Immediately he finishes he stands up once again to formally wish the visitor a hearty welcome with a handshake, whilst repeating the words akwaaba, akwaaba.

« Ghana ABC

Kofi and Ama »