Why was the modern country of Ghana given the name Ghana?

The modern country of Ghana takes its name from the great medieval Ghana empire, which flourished in western Africa until the 13th century.123

Although the center of this ancient empire was located approximately 500 miles northwest of the modern state, the name was adopted upon independence to honor that historical legacy. When the British colony known as the Gold Coast achieved independence on March 6, 1957, it was renamed Ghana under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah.23145

It is important to note that there is no evidence to suggest that the territory of the modern nation was part of the original medieval empire, nor can it be substantiated that a significant portion of the modern population descended from emigrants of that empire.23