Ghana Government Is Politicizing The Naming Issue

Ghana government seems to have got the first round with the name registration palaver in their favour. However, given that "The law is an ass," as the saying goes, so it will be more beneficial for all Ghanaians to be cautious not become a laughing stock in "Globaville" because of the combination of their names. "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful." (1 Cor. 10:23)

Minister of Local Government says, register the name as you like without obstacles, because the restriction directives seem to have originated from our colonial masters, and we win by countering it to show our right-to-choose! Also names like "Prince" allegedly is allowed for registration while "Oheneba" will not, even though the latter is the local interpretation of the former.

The reason is that here the "Prince" or "Emperor" etc. is considered an English/Christian or other name, which the Registrar should not dare translate, so it remains an adopted English, or foreign name, therefore giving one an adopted name, a birthday-name and a surname. If we hate to be called names like "sh*tholes" as a nation/people then let us better organize our socio-culture in line with global best practices.

Even if the foreign name could be allowed to pass, it cannot be an indigenous name that we understand and respect that should be handled with levity as if we are not an organized people! The freedom of choosing any noun for a name is still applicable, but those that are clearly local TITLES that should remain as such.

If we are not able to identify and exclude the titles, then a toddler officially named "Owura" for example would in adulthood be called OWURA (Mr) Owura Kwadwo, since the second is officially a real name if so registeted! Others could be OWURA Otumfour Oppong, AWURAA Maame Esi, OKUNINI Obenfo Yaw Anim, AWURAA (Ms) Adwoa Ohemaa. And if per chance, Adwoa became a defacto "Ohemaa" (Queen mother) later in life, then her name would be OHEMAA Adwoa Ohemaa, like ODIYIFO (Prophet) Odiyifo Boateng etc. What a way to demean the titles of our respected in society.