Names such as Stephen Kojo Baidoe Ansah

Origins of the Name “Kojo” in African Cultures

In Ghana and all along the Ivory Coast, it is common for the African people to give their children names correlating to the day on which they were born, and according to their birth order. Due to the Akan people in Ghana, this tradition of naming children spread throughout the Western parts of Africa, and even among the African diaspora, such as in Jamaica. Most Akan Ghana people include the day of the week on which the child is born in the name. •Monday – Kojo, Jojo Cudjoe – Monday’s child is nurturing, dependable and organized, as well as being the protector or the head of the family •Tuesday – Kwabena, Ebo, Kobena – Tuesday’s child is the planner and problem solver, remains neutral and does not take sides. •Wednesday – Kweku – Wednesday’s child is always in control and does not like to be told what to do, is spontaneous and vibrant. •Thursday – Yaw, Yao – Thursday’s child is quiet and observant, a good listener and very analytical. •Friday – Kofi, Yoofi – Friday’s child is a leader, has a big heart but is temperamental and an instigator. •Saturday – Kwame, Ato, Kwami – Saturday’s child likes to have control, run the show, makes the rules, but will always be helpful when needed. •Sunday – Swasi, Kwesi – Sunday’s child is passive, sensitive and warm, shy, keeps secrets well, but is always aware of what is going on. Origins of Name Kojo A person, such as Stephen kojo Baidoe Ansah, would have the name kojo included in his name if he is an African male born on a Monday. This would be in the tradition of Ghanaians, and most Ghanaians have at least one part of their name honoring this system. The first president of Ghana, Kwame Nkruman was born on Saturday. As he was the ninth child born the name Nkrumah is also included, as Nkruman means the ninth child. Kofi Atta Annan, a United Nations Secretary General was born on Friday and is a twin, which is designed by the name Atta. The distinguished Stephen Baidoe Ansah would be telling fellow Ghanaians and West Africans that he was born on a Monday by adding kojo to his name, making it Stephen kojo Baidoe Ansah. Kojo would usually be used in a male name and would not have any nickname. The name Kojo is also associated with peace. African Naming Culture When African parents name their children they incorporate cultural and religious overtures. Northern Africans are generally Muslim, so their children’s names are Arabic, while Central and Southern African parents are more westernized and use European names more frequently.

When naming an African child, the family will often incorporate the birth order, day and time, and even the season of the birth. The name can be indicative of a certain circumstance surrounding family life, or a word taken from the vocabulary of the language. There is generally a meaning associated with the name, which is why upon hearing a beautiful African name a person may ask the meaning of the name. Naming a child is a cultural tradition so much thought goes into the name. Ancestors may be honored through a child’s name. The name Stephen Baidoe Ansah could have several important references and meanings. Whereas Kojo is not a popular stand-along name, it is a name that Monday-born children may have incorporated into their full name. Kojo Along with Kojo indicating the name of the week, Monday, it also has other notable indications. The author and jewelry maker, Curtis Kojo Morrow wrote “The Return of the African-American” and “What’s a Commie Ever Done to Black People?” These books detail his journey to Ghana in 1965 and his experiences fighting for the United States while being discriminated against in his hometown of Chicago and in the army. He also writes children’s books about African mythology. Curtis Kojo Morrow was adopted while in Ghana by an Ashanti-Paramount chief and given the name Kojo Acheampong. Another prominent person with the name kojo was Kojo Botsio who was a government minister in Ghana’s Nkrumah administration. Kweisi DeGraft-Hanson is a doctoral student at Emory University. He is involved with a group called Origins who are developing a database that will help African Americans trace their roots. His heritage goes back to Ghana, and is part of the Akan ethnic group. When DeGraft and his family were visiting the wife’s home in South Carolina, an uncle told about his great-grandfather, Cudjoe Kizer. This was of interest to Kweisi DeGraft as he knew that Cudjoe is a variation of Kojo, the Akan name meaning born on Monday.