FATHER TITLE: “CNN Coined the ‘Father of the Internet in Africa’ Title for Me” — Quaynor Reveals

Professor Nii Narku Quaynor has been called many things throughout his remarkable career.

But there is one title that has followed him for years — “Father of the Internet in Africa.”

And he has now revealed that he did not give himself the title.

In fact, it came from one of the world’s biggest news organizations.

Asked by Kafui Dey whether he liked being referred to as the father of the internet in Africa, Professor Quaynor gave an answer that was both simple and surprising.

“Well, yes and no,” he said.

Then came the revelation.

“In fact, it might surprise you that it was coined by CNN.”

According to Quaynor, the title emerged during the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) meeting where CNN representatives observed his work and the numerous initiatives he had been involved in.

“At one ICANN meeting… they saw what was happening and numerous initiatives that I had, I got described as such,” he explained.

He believes CNN heard the description from other people and adopted it.

“So shout out to CNN,” Kafui Dey remarked.

Quaynor agreed.

“I mean, you know, I’m just that because it’s some other people who learned about some things, observed it, and reported it. I think that is fine.”

But there is one part of the title that makes him uncomfortable.

“The part that I’m not so comfortable with is… everybody wants to be the father.”

That, he suggested, is where the controversy begins.

He acknowledged that there are people who may also want recognition for their contributions to Ghana’s internet and computing history.

“But somebody has to do it first,” he said.

The title has also brought responsibility.

Asked whether it is a heavy title to carry, Quaynor admitted that it puts pressure on him.

“There are many things I should not say,” he explained.

He said that someone carrying such a title has to be careful about when and how they speak because their words can have a deeper impact.

“My writings are usually scrutinized by my advisor and even friends sometimes before I make them,” he said.

For Quaynor, being called the father of the internet in Africa is therefore not simply a flattering nickname.

It is a recognition he did not seek, a title CNN gave him after observing his work and one he knows comes with expectations.

As he put it: “Somebody has to do it first.”