Spotting Ghana Scammers – Ghanaian Words & Phrases

Understanding Scammer Culture

A SCARS Guide

Most Victims Stay In A Scam Far Too Long!

This is because while they suspect it is a scam, they do not have the confidence to cut it off.

The reason that they lack confidence is partner because of the extended period of time they were being manipulated, and specifically Gaslighted to undermine their confidence. But it is also because they are looking for concrete proof that it is a scam.

The proof is unnecessary because if you suspect it is a scam – then simply it is! However, for those that cannot accept this simple fact, the following will help trap scammers into giving away their Nigerian origins.

Ghanaians use a lot of local dialects, slang,  and shorthand words for one another, these words and phrases are not only from their indigenous Nigerian languages but sometimes they are also in Pidgin English or are English terms with the meaning corrupted.

To learn more about how Scammers Use Endearments and Why click here.

How To Use?

Your scammer is going to use texts and email as their primary communication method. This means a mountain of written conversations.

During your conversations, it is easy to slip in certain trap words or phrases into your replies. Most of the time, they will not even be noticed, since they are in their native tongue. When the scammer replies as tough they understood and does not question the word or phrase, you can be sure – at least after a couple of setups that you are speaking with a Ghanaian.

Just be careful not to flood the conversation with Ghana terms. Use one or two in critical passages of text, and see what happens. You can use one or two in each message, but not too many or your scammers will catch on!

Also remember that Nigerian is a country of 31 million people, and has 50 languages and 7 major ones, so everything depends on what language they natively speak. Many phrases are universal in Ghana.

Ghana Terms, Words, & Phrases

Ghana is a country with seven major languages: Twi, Ga, Fanti, Ewe, Dangbe, Hausa, and English.

Many Ghanaians speak English or Pidgin English mixed in with words from these local languages to create a distinctive way of speaking that is unique to Ghana.

Although many Africans and people of African descent speak Pidgin English it is different in every country.

Ghana Terms Of Endearment

Twi Language	English
odo	love
me do	my love
odofoo	loved one; beloved; lover
me dofo	my loved one; my beloved; my lover
odo ye wu	LITERALLY: love is death (worth-dying-for love; eternal love)
akoma mu tofe; akomam’ tofe	sweetheart (LITERALLY: candy of the heart)
ohemmaa	queen
me hemmaa	my queen
ahoofe	beauty
ahoofe dua	beauty tree (embodiment of beauty)
me bibini	my African/black person
me buroni	my Caucasian/white person
me bibini-buroni	my African-Caucasian; my black-white person
ahwene pa	good (precious) bead(s)
obaa pa	good woman
m’ade pa	my good thing

TWI Language	ENGLISH
me wiase	my world
me do	my love
me do wiase	the love of my world
me wura	my husband (lit: my owner)
me kunu	my husband
okunu pa	good husband
m’ade pa	my good thing
me biribiara	my everything
me bibini	my African/black person; handsome
me buroni	my Caucasian/white person; handsome
me bibini-buroni	my African-Caucasian; handsome
ohene	king
me hene	my king
ahoofe	handsome
m’ahoofe	my handsome
akoma mu tofe; akomam tofe	sweetheart
m’akomam tofe	my sweetheart
m’anigyee	my happiness
me botantim	my solid rock
m’aborodwomaa	my potato
m’aborobe	my pineapple

Ghana Slang And Tribal Terms

Akwaaba – Welcome

Alata: A term commonly used to describe Nigerians, to their great displeasure as it means pepper seller in their language. (Derived from the Yoruba language)

Aunty: In West Africa the title aunty is given to any older woman to whom deference is shown.

Awam: The word awam, meaning fake, is derived from the abbreviation for the Association of West African Merchants that duped citizens out of their hard earned money.

Azaa: Dubious

Boga: A Ghanaian living abroad, this word originated from the word Hamburger after residents of Hamburg many of who are of Ghanaian origin.

Chalewotey: the word for Flip-flops. ‘Chale’ in Ga means friend or buddy and ‘Wote’ means ‘let’s go.’ So literally the word Chalewotey means ‘my friend let’s go’ and is a perfect description for the ease with which flip-flops are worn.  (Ga term)

Chop bar: A restaurant that operates mainly by the roadside and serves a variety of local dishes.

Eti sen: An equivalent to a ‘hi, how are you?’ but is literally translated as ‘how is it?’ to which the response would be ‘eye’ (eh-yeh) ‘it’s good’ or ‘it’s fine’. (Akan term)

Hot: to be under pressure; ‘chale I’m hot!’, ‘I’m under pressure!’

Jot: Cigarette

Kubolor: Someone that enjoys wandering and ‘roaming’. (Ga term)

Obroni: White man or white person.

Obroni waawu: Secondhand clothing. It literally means ‘the dead white man’, to signify the clothes that came from Europe.

Saa: ‘Is that so?’ (Akan term).

Sankofa: A popular adinkra proverb derived from the twi language that literally means ‘go back and get it’. For example, if you’ve forgotten your roots you can always go back and retrace your steps. (Akan term)

Skin pain: Jealousy

Tro tro:  Also ‘trosky’, a mini bus used for public transportation. Tro tro drivers are notorious for their bad driving. They usually have some interesting slogan or the other inked on the rear windscreen. (Ga term)

More Terms:

A beg: I beg, Please:

– ‘A beg no wound me’

– ‘Please don’t hurt me’

See: On the English speaking West Coast of Africa people often use the word ‘see’ in place of the usual ‘look at’. ‘

– Oh chale, see the way he is dancing! He wan embarrass us oh!

– ‘Oh dude, look at the way he’s dancing! He’s trying to embarrass us!’

Akata (n): a foreigner usually an African-American

Akpeteshie: This locally brewed spirit is made from highly fermented palm wine and is highly intoxicating (like moonshine) also known as Apio.

Asem: Problem(s) (Akan term)

Babylon: England

Chale: Friend (Ga term)

Chao: a lot, plenty

Chichinga: Khebabs

Cho: Food

– ‘Where de (the) cho dey?’

– ‘Where is the food?’

Kelewele: Ripe plantains diced and marinated in ginger, onions and chili and then fried. Ghana’s equivalent to fast food.

Pee – a Coca Cola knock off

Red Red: Fried ripened plantains with beans usually made with palm oil.

Sakora: Bald headed; a totally shaven head.

Shito: A spicy pepper sauce, which is black in color and made wit crayfish.

Tatale: Ripe plantain crushed and mixed with flour chili, onion, ginger and spices then fried.

Waatse: Black eye peas cooked with rice and served with shito (Ga traditional food)

Ghana Names For Girls

1. Ababio (Ghanaian origin) means “child that keeps coming”. Famous last name bearer: fashion designer Joyce Ababio.

2. Abina (Ghanaian origin) means “one born on a Thursday”.

3. Abla (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Wednesday”. Is a short and simple name.

4. Adjua (Ghanaian origin) means “the one born on Monday”.

5. Adofo (Ghanaian origin) means “warrior”. Is a beautiful name for Ghanaian girls.

6. Adwoa (Ghanaian origin) means “one born on a Monday”. Is one of the sweetest female day names in Ghana.

7. Afreyea (Ghanaian origin ) meaning “born during good times”.  Such beautiful Ghana girl names are suitable for a sweet-tempered child.

8. Ajoba (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is born on Monday”. Can be kept as a day name.

9. Akuba (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is born on Wednesday”.

10. Antobam (Ghanaian origin) means “the posthumous child”. Such Ghanaian female names are unique, rare, and beautiful.

11. Araba (Ghanaian origin) means “the one who is born on a Tuesday”. Is the most popular day name.

12. Awusi (Ghanaian origin) means “the one who is born on a Sunday”. Ghanaian people normally use this name as a child’s first name.

13. Caimile (Ghanaian origin) meaning “a family is born”. Is one of the most beautiful Ghanaian baby names.

14. Dogbeda (Ghanaian origin) means “pray”. Is a unique and special name for girls.

15. Dzifa (Ghanaian origin) means “one is at peace”. Famous name bearer: Dutch film actor Dzifa Kusenuh.

16. Effia (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Friday”. The name is short and simple and is a popular day name.

17. Efie (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Friday”. Is one of the most used day names in Ghana.

18. Efua (Ghanaian origin) means “they are born on a Friday”.

19. Ejo (Ghanaian origin) means “a girl born on Monday”. Sometimes such cute names are also used as Ghanaian nicknames.

20. Ekuwa (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Wednesday”.

21. Esi (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is born on Sunday”. Such Ghanaian girl names can make a beautiful nickname for Elizabeth or Elisa.

22. Gifty (Ghanaian origin) meaning “a very beautiful tall girl”.

23. Kisi (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Sunday”. This is a popular name in Ghana.

24. Kukua (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Wednesday”. The name sounds sweet and simple.

25. Tawiah (Ghanaian origin) means “the first child born after twins”.

26. Thema (Ghanaian origin) meaning  “Queen”. Is a powerful name for girls in Ghana.

27. Yaaba (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is born on Thursday”.

28. Yihana (Ghanaian origin) meaning “congratulations”.

Ghanaian Names For Boys

29. Abeeku (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is born on Wednesday”. The name is very popular and commonly used in Ghana.

30. Aboagye (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is powerful and complete”.

31. Acheampong (Ghanaian origin) means “one that gave birth to the King”. Famous name bearer: Ghanaian footballer Frank Acheampong.

32. Addae (Ghanaian origin) means “the morning sun”. The name is most suitable for Ghanaian boys.

33. Adekorafo (Ghanaian origin) means “treasurer”.

34. Adjua (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Monday”. Is one of the Ghanaian days names.

35. Adofo (Ghanaian origin) meaning “warrior”. A Ghanaian name that is very popular.

36. Adom (Ghanaian origin) meaning “help from God”. Such Ghanaian first names are very popular in the United States too.

37. Adric (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is a blessed ruler”.

38. Adwenpa (Ghanaian origin) means “one who gives good ideas”.

39. Afram (Ghanaian origin) meaning “Afram river in Ghana”.

40. Agyei (Ghanaian origin) meaning “messenger from God”. Such names are very common in other countries in West Africa too.

41. Agyenim (Ghanaian origin) means “the great one from God”.

42. Bubune (Ghanaian origin) means “honor to him”.

43. Coblah (Ghanaian origin) means “one who is born on Tuesday”. This is one of the most unique Ghanaian male names.

44. Danquah (Ghanaian origin) means “eternal life”.

45. Dziedzorm (Ghanaian origin) means “I was glad”.

46. Ekow (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Thursday”.

47. Fodjour (Ghanaian origin) meaning “fourth born”.

48. Fram (Ghanaian origin) meaning “Ofram tree”.

49. Fynn (Ghanaian origin) meaning “Offin river”.

50. Gyasi (Ghanaian origin) meaning “wonderful child”. Such gorgeous Ghanaian baby names can also be used as middle names.

51. Kobby (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Tuesday”.

52. Kobena (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Tuesday”.

53. Kofi (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on Friday”.

54. Kojo (Ghanaian origin) means “someone who is born on Monday”.

55. Kplorm (Ghanaian origin) means “guide me”.

56. Krobo (Ghanaian origin) meaning “name of a river in Ghana”.

57. Kwaku (Ghanaian origin) means “born on Wednesday”. Famous name bearer: Ghanaian actor Kwaku Manu.

58. Kwame (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Saturday”.

59. Kwami (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on a Saturday”.

60. Madonudenu (Ghanaian origin) means “my confidence is in him (God)”.

61. Mawufeasi (Ghanaian origin) means “God’s hand”.

62. Mawusi (Ghanaian origin) meaning “in the hands of God”. Such Ghanaian baby names are very popular in Ghana.

63. Nyakpoo (Ghanaian origin) means “a calm answer”.

64. Tano (Ghanaian origin) meaning “Tano river”.

65. Tuaco (Ghanaian origin) meaning “eleventh born child”.

66. Twia (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born after twins”.

67. Yaw (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on Thursday”.

68. Yokow (Ghanaian origin) meaning “born on Thursday”.  Such Ghanaian boy names are unique and will surely make a good name for your son.

Ghana Non-Gender First Names

69. Afuom (Ghanaian origin) means “on the field”. Is one of the most popular Ghanaian gender neutral names.

70. Ashanti (Ghanaian origin) means “undefeated”, “divine”, and “peace”

71. Baako (Ghanaian origin) means “first born child”. Is a unique name and can be used as a neutral gender name.

72. Deladem (Ghanaian origin) means “redeemed by the savior”.

73. Dzifa (Ghanaian origin) means “one is at peace”. Such Ghanaian neutral gender names are rare and beautiful.

74. Hunu (Ghanaian origin) means “sun”. The name can be used for both genders and is a popular one, we can see why!

Ghana Last Names

75. Addo (Ghanaian origin) means “King of the road”. Is among the most popular surnames used in Ghana.

76. Adjei (Ghanaian origin) means “talkative and charming”. Famous last name bearer: footballer Daniel Adjei.

77. Agyapong (Ghanaian origin) means “God’s completeness”. Famous last name bearer: sprinter Finette Agyapong.

78. Akuffo (Ghanaian and Akuapem-Akropong origin) is a patronymic surname. Famous last name bearer: wrestler Ohenewa Akuffo.

79. Amihere (Ghanaian origin) means “audacity, meticulousness, and sincerity”. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian politician Isaac Abraham Amihere.

80. Antwi (Ghanaian origin) means “powerful and complete”.

81. Appiah (Ghanaian origin) means “Prince or first”.

82. Asamoah (Ghanaian origin) means “apostles”. This name can also be used as a first name.

83. Asante (Ghanaian origin) means “thank you”.

84. Asare (Ghanaian origin) means “warrior” or “conqueror”.

85. Boakye (Ghanaian origin) means “helper”. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian footballer Emmanuel Boakye.

86. Boakye-Yiadom (Ghanaian origin) means “show grace”.

87. Boateng (Ghanaian origin) means “humble person who is holy to God”.

88. Frimpong (Ghanaian origin) means “blessings”.

89. Gbeho (Ghanaian origin) means “leader, visionary, or powerful”. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian lawyer, politician and diplomat James Victor Gbeho.

90. Hudson-Odoi (Ghanaian origin) means “sensitive and imaginative”. Famous last name bearer: two footballing brothers Bradley Hudson-Odoi and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

91. Kwei-Armah (Ghanaian origin) means “to find the way”. Famous last name bearer: actor and comedian Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE.

92. Mensah (Ghanaian origin) means “born third”.

93. Obeng (Ghanaian origin) means “smart or brilliant”.

94. Odamtten (Ghanaian origin) is a patronymic surname. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian mycologist George Tawia Odamtten.

95. Ofori (Ghanaian origin) means “light of knowledge”. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian physician and medical researcher David Ofori-Adjei.

96. Ollennu (Ghanaian origin) is a patronymic surname. Famous last name bearer: Ambassador of Ghana to Denmark, Amerley Ollennu Awua-Asamoa.

97. Opoku (Ghanaian origin) means “the name of an ancient Ashanti King”. Famous last name bearer:  Ghanaian singer, songwriter and dancer Dorcas Opoku Dakwa.

98. Oppong (Ghanaian origin) means”kind”. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian-born Canadian soccer player Dominic Oppong.

99. Osei (Ghanaian origin) means “noble or honorable”. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian association football player Emmanuel Osei.

100. Owusu (Ghanaian origin) means “strong willed and determined”.

101. Quansah (Ghanaian origin) means “God is watching”. Such Ghanaian surnames are unique and rare.

102. Quaye (Ghanaian origin) Ghanaian footballer Abdullah Quaye has this surname.

103. Sai (Ghanaian origin) a patronymic surname. Famous last name bearer: Ghanaian boxer Obodai Sai.

104. Tetteh (Ghanaian origin) means “grace”.

105. Yeboah (Ghanaian origin) means “cheerful giver”.