What's in a name?

Ghanaian names are wonderful. I’ve been typing in scores of names (literally) into my computer to enter grades and I sometimes get mesmerized by the names.

Traditionally Ghanaian babies are named according to the day of the week on which they are born. Sometimes this is their first name, more often one of their middle names. If YOU were born in Ghana what would you be named? (These are the most common although there are variations)

BOYS / GIRLS:
Monday-Kojo/ Adjo
Tuesday-Kwabena/ Abena
Wednesday-Kweku/ Aku
Thursday-Yao/ Yaa
Friday-Kofi/ Afi
Saturday-Kwame/ Amma
Sunday-Kwesi/ Akosua

I teach three classes and a total of 178 students-(see update below). The most popular name I have is ‘Emmanuel’(6) and 2 Emmanuellas. Samuel and Isaac are also popular. In one class I have 3 “Princes’go figure.

I like the first names that are characteristics/traits-Here are 6 of my favorites: Courage Badu, Comfort Fianko, Defencer Patterson, Shelter Akpah, Sovereign Dziwornu, Patience Osanyogmor, and Justice Dei.

Then there are the names of my grandparents’ generation. Names which would highly embarrass a teen in our country (please note I have 5 relatives with these names): Matilda, Alfred, Gladys, Harriet, Bertha, Mildred, Abigail, Beatrice, Harold, Ebeneezer, Thelma, Gideon, Eunice and Esther!

Many are biblical, some are African, some Muslim, but most are traditional ‘old school’ names. I do have a few favorites-not sure why they just make me smile: Enninful Ato, McAdams Ntim, Mildred Mould, Elvis Lartey, and Dorcas Tsibu.

I have mentioned my class of 88 (at one time it was 96). Friday when I walked into the room, well, I could walk into the room! The split had been made. I never thought I’d be so happy to have a class of 44! I asked where the ‘others’ were. From my location on the third floor of a classroom block I was directed to a one story classroom block down the hill. I saw students hanging around a doorway at the end-yes they were my old students. When I inquired further it turns out that they did, indeed split the class in half, but the ‘others down the hill’ have NO teachers. Zero. My half kept all of the teachers and the ‘others down the hill’ have none. ‘Don’t worry madame-they will get teachers for them-maybe by Monday.’

Anyway, I began my lesson and from the corner of my eye I saw a few students come in the back of the room. I figured they were late until I saw a few more and then a few more. What was happening was that the ‘others’ were sneaking up the hill up the stairs and back into my class. In about 3 minutes I had all 90 kids again-smushed into desks 4 at a time softly giggling. ‘Only for today Madame!’, one of them said. How could I say no?


On Saturday I was tutoring this young man from a local junior high school. All my Mont Co friends-check out his shirt!


PTA meeting-I think Temascos attendance beats any school I've ever been associated with!

3 of my little buddies (teachers’ kids)


Next week: Can it GET any hotter? How many girls will show up for the second Women in Mathematics Club? What have I been doing the past two Saturday afternoons?