Reverend Lamptey Uses Palm Nut Soup Analogy to Preach Unity Over “Akwaaba” vs “Oobakɛ” Debate
- Rev. Abraham Lamptey compared Ghana’s diversity to palm nut soup, emphasising the importance of all tribes
- The man of God called for the celebration of all indigenous greetings, not replacing “Akwaaba” with “Oobakɛ”
- Mr Happiness also defended “Akwaaba” at Kotoka, arguing for globally recognised phrases at international airports
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Rev. Abraham Lamptey, Head Pastor of Believers House of Worship, has weighed in on the "Oobakɛ" and "Akwaaba" greeting controversy within Ghana.
Source: Facebook
Speaking from his office, the respected clergyman offered a powerful and symbolic analogy comparing Ghana to a pot of palm nut soup, a beloved local dish with rich ingredients.
He likened the Ga people, who were the original settlers of Accra, to the Palm nut Juice, which forms the soup's essential base. However, just like in real life, the juice alone doesn't make a delicious meal.
"Akwaaba” vs “Oobakɛ” Debate: Rev Lamptey speaks
He also likened other key ingredients in the soup, such as onions, tomatoes, salt, and spices, to Ghana's various ethnic groups, including the Ewe, Fante, Asante, and Hausa. According to him, just as these ingredients complete the soup, each tribe plays a role in making Ghana whole.
In his words:
“Sidelining one ingredient means spoiling the whole soup. Ghana thrives because of our diversity, not in spite of it."
Rev. Lamptey's comment comes amid an ongoing debate about whether the Ga greeting "Oobakɛ" should replace "Akwaaba" at Kotoka International Airport.
The current signage displays “Akwaaba,” an Akan word meaning “Welcome,” which has drawn criticism from some who believe Ga, the local language of Accra, should be featured instead.
Reacting to this, the clergyman called for Ghanaians to embrace all cultures and greetings. Rather than replacing “Akwaaba” with “Oobakɛ,” he suggested that all indigenous greetings be celebrated side by side.
He described the act of choosing one greeting over another as missing the point of Ghana’s multicultural strength.
Watch the video below:
Mr Happiness defends “Akwaaba” at Kotoka Airport
In a related report, Netherlands-based Ghanaian media activist, Mr Happiness, alias Kofi Gabs, disagreed with the calls for change. In a video shared online, he argued that international airports should prioritise universally understood phrases.
Drawing an example from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, he pointed out that despite Dutch being the native language, English is predominantly used there, not to erase culture but to accommodate global travellers.
Source: Instagram
He emphasised that “Akwaaba” has gained global recognition as a symbol of Ghanaian hospitality and is more widely known than “Oobakɛ.” While he acknowledged the cultural value of the Ga language, he believes efforts should focus on national development rather than linguistic debates.
He added that including “Oobakɛ” alongside “Akwaaba” could be a more inclusive solution, but removing the existing greeting is unnecessary.
Watch him speak below:
Akosua Agyapong criticises replacing Akwaaba with Oobakɛ
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that Akosua Agyapong rejected calls to replace the iconic Akwaaba sign at the Kotoka International Airport with Oobakɛ.
In an interview, the Ghanaian musician argued that Akwaaba represents all citizens and that changing it would affect other Akan cultural elements in Accra.
Ga-Dangbe youth groups launched the Oobakɛ campaign to demand greater representation of the Ga language at national landmarks in the capital.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
