The Recent Controversy Involving a Ghanaian Gospel Musician/ The Celestina Donkor Syndrome in Ghana

In recent **weeks**, there has been a significant public outcry among our Ghanaian friends and colleagues from the Volta Region in response to a well-known gospel musician's disparaging remarks about Ewe names during a televised interview. The musician expressed her fervent prayers for a spouse with a "**simple**" name, which she found humorous and shared on national television.

This incident has understandably caused offense and distress to many individuals who perceive it as disrespectful to the Ewe tribe. Consequently, there has been widespread criticism and dissatisfaction expressed on social media platforms, prompting the musician to issue an apology.

While this incident is regrettable, it serves to highlight certain prevailing societal attitudes and biases. It is important to acknowledge the double standards that exist within Ghanaian society, as the musician's actions reflect a reality that many individuals face.

Tribal politics and utterances have created a perception among some Ghanaians that can lead to discrimination based on surnames. This unfortunate stereotype has forced many people who move to the south to either conceal their real names or abandon their dialects. Discrimination based on names can manifest in various forms, such as denial of jobs, rent, and other services. This has resulted in low self-esteem and fear among certain tribes, compelling them to conceal their tribal identities.

Furthermore, many Ghanaians lack pride in their heritage and adopt European names, such as Helena Williams, John Jones, and David Forson, which have no connection to African roots. It is essential to promote self-acceptance and discourage derogatory remarks about surnames to foster a more inclusive and harmonious society.

It is essential for parents to instill a sense of self-assurance in their children by providing them with local names and encouraging them to communicate in their native dialect.

Regrettably, due to Celestina's syndrome, children born in the present era lack the ability to converse in their mother tongue. Furthermore, students face disciplinary action in educational settings for utilizing their native language. When individuals are penalized for their inherent characteristics, they tend to distance themselves from their names, which serve as representations of their true identities.

Rather than expressing our dissatisfaction with such regrettable conduct, it is imperative that we engage in thoughtful reflection and take appropriate measures to rectify this detrimental situation. Collectively, we share responsibility for this issue, and it is high time that we embrace our tribal affiliations and national identity with pride. It is crucial to unequivocally reject tribalism and any factors that have the potential to divide our nation.

God bless our homeland, Ghana.
By Richard Tawiah