Residents in the Upper East Region have expressed utter shock and disappointment at the new street names as portrayed on the digital plates recently installed as part of the government’s digital address system, most streets, and properties were given names to improve navigation in Ghana.
Sharing their thoughts on some of the new street names on A1 Radio’s Official Facebook page, Yussif Mariam Isaac asked “are we sure they are not trying to sell our beloved country to foreigners?”
Nyamba Tina wrote, “why not use our local names for the naming or make money for District Assembly by asking the affluent to pay a fee to name a street after them?”
Infact the authorities responsible for the street naming through local government (MMDAs), should take a second look at these western names. They should thoroughly consult the Chiefs, traditional rulers and the indigenes of their respective towns for better and well-known indigenous names given by the people of that locality themselves. There is no street without a name given by the indigenes. It is about time we stop imposing western names on our own roads,” Festus Mahama wrote.
Ibrahim Sako Saeed Iddris also responded to the post by saying “Hmmm, I have been struggling to understand the basis of such names. In parts of Tamale, there is a name like Chlorine street. Towards Savelugu also, Banana street. Unfortunately, in my over 5-year stay in Savelugu, I have never or seen a Banana tree in Savelugu. A very good initiative but wrong naming. Why not the names that are already known to the communities?”
Atimbiok Edward wrote, “This is to erase our culture. Can’t they get our local names for this digital thing”.
A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
