Ghanaian refugee names her daughter after German chancellor

Out of gratitude and hope for the chance to have a better life in Germany, a Ghanaian asylum-seeker has named her baby after the most important woman in the country.

Six-month-old Angela Merkel Ade sits on the arm of her mother Ophelya Ade in a refugee shelter in a former hospital in Hannover, northern Germany. However, German news only broke the story this week.

The baby, who was named in tribute of Germany’s current Chancellor Angela Merkel, was born in February in Hanover.

Germany already approved baby Angela’s mother’s claims of asylum earlier this year, according to Reuters.

Record numbers of migrants are arriving in western Europe, many fleeing the war in Syria and other conflicts or poverty, straining EU countries’ ability to cope.

Merkel told the teenager “politics is sometimes hard”, before going over to comfort her. Her response to the young girl divided opinion, with some critics on social media accusing the chancellor of insensitivity.

“You’re right in front of me now and you’re an extremely nice person”. The reports did not also say which part of Ghana she was coming from. After the girl started crying, Merkel stroked her back but told her that Germany could not admit everyone who wanted to live there.

Rules for name giving in Germany are very strict, and last names can not usually be used as first or middle names. However, baby Angela Merkel Ade was allowed to keep her name without incident.