In 1973 on the Akwapim mountain range in Ghana, I met with Daniel Chapman-Nyahu, one of the first politicians in the Government of Kwame Nkrumah, the first black African President and first president of Ghana.
It gave a remarkable insight into the formation of a new Republic. I share my recollection of that memorable moment with you.
On the eve of the Gold Coast becoming the Republic of Ghana in 1960, Osagefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah shared a perplexing problem with Cabinet Minister, Daniel Chapman-Nyahu.Nkrumah instantly dismissed the adjective ‘Ghanaian’ to describe the citizens of the new Republic. “The word contains too many ‘a’s and, ‘i’s it will be difficult to spell correctly,” he remarked.The two men sought similar familiar examples to solve their problem.“China - Chinese - Ghanese"? suggested Chapman-Nyahu. "Then what about Romania - Romanian - Ghanian?" he further suggested.Nkrumah frowned.“Then Cuba – Cuban – Ghanan,” he continued.The President stood up and walked towards the door. He turned to face his Minister.“The people will soon learn to spell and pronounce GHANAIAN”And so that is how it came about and why we call the delightful people of Ghana today - Ghanaian.
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