Sights and Sounds
The Fante Surname: How Trade and Tradition Created Ghana’s Most Unique Names
In the bustling coastal markets of Cape Coast and the historic streets of Elmina, a peculiar roll call echoes through the ages.
You will hear names like Blankson, Ferguson, and Bates—surnames that sound more like the streets of London or Liverpool than the central coast of Ghana.
While many post-colonial nations have sought to strip away the nomenclature of their former occupiers, for the Fante people, these European names have become an indelible, complex part of their cultural DNA.
The story of the “English-named” Fante is not merely one of colonial imposition; it is a fascinating case study in trade, social climbing, and the fluid nature of identity.
The Trade Desk and the Baptismal Font
The roots of this naming convention stretch back centuries to when the Fante were the primary intermediaries between the European powers and the interior of the Gold Coast.
Living along the coast in places like Takoradi and Sekondi, the Fante were the first to engage in the intensive exchange of textiles, metals, and alcohol.
Over decades of close contact, the lines between business and personal identity began to blur. A local man working for a British trader named Bates might eventually adopt the name for professional convenience.
When the waves of Christian missionaries followed the traders, the process accelerated. To be baptized was to be “civilized” in the eyes of the Church, and baptism often required an English name.
These names were easier for the British to pronounce and, more importantly, they signaled a high level of association with the ruling power.
For a Fante father in the 1800s, naming his son “Jason Kwame Bates” wasn’t seen as an abandonment of his heritage, but rather as equipping his child with a “passport” to better opportunities.
When Association Becomes Status
As the decades passed, what began as a tool for trade evolved into a marker of prestige. English names became tied to high social status.
This psychological shift was famously critiqued by the revered Ghanaian filmmaker Kwaw Ansah in his masterpiece, Heritage Africa.
In the film, the protagonist, Kwesi Atta Bosomefi, chooses to reinvent himself as “Quincy Arthur Bosumfield.” While the change sounds creative, the narrative serves as a cautionary tale: in his desperate bid to climb the colonial social ladder by changing his name and ideals, he ultimately loses his sense of self.
It was a poignant reflection of a reality for many: the fear that in adopting the world of the “other,” one might inadvertently erase their own.
Living in Both Worlds
Today, the presence of these names in Ghana is no longer viewed through the narrow lens of colonial submission. Instead, it represents a unique synthesis of history. The modern Fante perspective suggests a form of dual citizenship of the soul.
The lesson hidden in this naming history is profound: one can be “Kofi” and “Joseph” simultaneously. Having a European surname does not negate one’s Ghanaian essence.
The challenge, as the history of the coast teaches us, is to move freely between both worlds without ever forgetting which one truly belongs to you.
A few minutes can make all the difference in Accra. One moment you’re surrounded by busy roads and constant movement; the next, you’re gliding across a lake, cycling beneath tall trees, or stepping onto a canopy walk high above the ground.
That contrast is what makes Legon Botanical Gardens one of the city’s most rewarding outdoor escapes.
Located beside the University of Ghana in Legon, the gardens have evolved into more than a traditional botanical park.
They offer a rare combination of adventure and quiet reflection, making the space appealing to families, couples, solo travellers and groups of friends looking to experience a different side of Ghana’s capital.
Visitors who enjoy active days can rent bicycles and explore the network of cycling trails that wind through the grounds.
The adventure continues with rope courses and the popular canopy walk, where elevated pathways provide a fresh perspective of the gardens’ lush surroundings.
Those seeking a slower pace will find plenty to enjoy as well. The lake creates a peaceful setting for canoeing or a relaxing fishing session, offering a welcome break from the city’s fast rhythm.
It’s this balance of excitement and calm that gives the gardens their broad appeal, allowing visitors of different ages and interests to share the same space without feeling rushed.
With entry fees starting from GHS 15—while activities are priced separately—the gardens offer an accessible day out for many visitors.
For travellers eager to explore even more of Ghana’s green spaces, the Aburi Botanical Gardens, about an hour’s drive from Accra, provide another scenic option.
But for those staying in the capital, Legon Botanical Gardens proves that sometimes the best getaway is closer than expected.
The first thing you notice at House Party Go-Karts is the sound—a burst of laughter followed by the whine of engines cutting through the afternoon air.
Tucked away in Bortianor, just off Accra’s Kokrobite Beach Road, this outdoor entertainment hub has become the kind of place where a friendly race can quickly turn into an unforgettable day out.
For visitors exploring Ghana beyond the city’s museums and markets, House Party Go-Karts offers a different side of Accra: one built around recreation, music, and shared experiences.
The venue gained an extra dose of pop-culture appeal after appearing in Kuami Eugene’s hit “Angela” music video, giving fans another reason to recognise its colourful setting.
The main attraction is the outdoor go-kart track, designed for everyone from first-time drivers to competitive racers eager to shave seconds off their lap times.
The experience is fast-paced without feeling intimidating, making it a popular choice for families, couples, and groups of friends.
Away from the track, the entertainment continues. An indoor arcade blends classic and modern games, while the on-site restaurant offers a relaxed space to recharge with local and international dishes after the adrenaline rush.
Open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the venue is well positioned for an afternoon adventure that can stretch into the evening.
Better still, its location near Bojo Beach makes it easy to combine a seaside escape with a few laps around the circuit.
With weekday sessions starting at GH¢80 and weekend sessions at GH¢100, House Party Go-Karts proves that some of Accra’s best memories are made not by standing still, but by chasing the next corner.
Every remarkable library begins with a single book. The Library of Africa and the African Diaspora (LOATAD) began with 1,300 of them—all from one woman’s personal collection.
When Sylvia Arthur founded LOATAD in Accra in 2017, she was not simply opening another library.
She was creating a home for stories that too often sit on the margins of mainstream bookshelves: works by African writers and voices from the global African diaspora.
Built from books Arthur collected over five years, LOATAD has grown into one of Ghana’s most distinctive cultural spaces. It reflects a simple but powerful idea: that access to African literature should not be an exception, but an everyday experience.
In a city where creative communities continue to shape conversations about identity, history, and belonging, LOATAD functions as more than a reading room. It has become a meeting place where readers, writers, artists, and researchers gather around shared narratives. The shelves invite visitors to move across continents and generations, tracing connections between Ghana, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas through literature.
The library’s significance extends beyond its carefully curated collection. It challenges long-standing assumptions about whose stories deserve preservation and whose histories deserve space on the shelf. By centering African and diasporic voices, LOATAD helps bridge historical distances created by migration, colonialism, and displacement.
For international visitors, the library offers an intimate introduction to contemporary Ghana’s literary landscape. For local readers, it provides something equally valuable—a place where African stories are not treated as a special category, but as the foundation of the collection itself.
What began as one person’s bookshelf has become a lasting cultural landmark, proving that libraries can preserve not only books, but belonging.
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