Ghanaian media personality Dr. Anima Wiafe Akenteng has delved into the significance of greetings in Ghanaian society.
Speaking with DJ Slim on Daybreak Hitz, Dr. Akenteng illustrated the importance of greetings with a relatable scenario.
“Let’s say when you are visiting a friend and you pass by someone without greeting him/her and later found out that your friend isn’t home and you come back to ask when your friend is, he/she will ask if you greeted her when you passed by. For that matter, please leave here because I don’t know where your friend is,” she said.
She further emphasised the value of greetings by contrasting the scenario. “But if you passed by and greeted before going to see your friend whom you didn’t see and come back to ask for his/her whereabouts, she could have responded that your friend is gone out and that if there is anything you want me to help you with in case he/she comes back, other than just passing by without greeting. This should tell us that greeting is important in the Ghanaian society.”
Dr. Akenteng also shed light on the cultural significance of different types of greetings: “In our culture, there are 3 kinds of greetings: good morning, good afternoon, and good evening; morning greetings here mean good morning and thank God for his grace and mercies for seeing yet another wonderful day and giving us strength. It also means everything you do in the morning and through the day should be in your favor.”
She continued, “Afternoon greetings mean everything you do in the afternoon and through the day should be good to you and also be strengthened in all the things you do.”
Dr. Akenteng concluded by explaining the significance of evening greetings: “Evening greetings mean we have been working all day, are tired, so we wish you a good evening and the favor to take you through to the next morning.”
Additionally, Dr. Akenteng highlighted other forms of greetings, saying: “Another form of greetings is ‘Ayekoo’… this greeting is normally done when someone is back from work. It is a form of encouragement for the hard work done and the response is usage.”
She also explained the significance of ‘Akwaaba’, saying it is another form of greeting that is done when someone comes back home from a long journey. It means you are welcome.”
Dr. Akenteng also touched on the greeting ‘Wotiri nkwa’.
“‘Wotiri nkwa’ is also a form of greeting normally done when someone gives birth. It signifies someone who has been through life and death and come out successfully. When a woman is pregnant, she goes through a lot of stages like vomiting, pains, headaches, and many more, hence we greet her with ‘wotiri nkwa’,” she said.
Finally, Dr. Akenteng emphasized that greetings serve as forms of encouragement, saying: “All these greetings are forms of encouragement to individuals. For instance, when someone loses a family member, the type of greetings we normally say to the person is ‘sh3 den’, meaning stay strong. This is due to the emotional and psychological stress the person is going through at the moment.”
In a nutshell, Dr. Anima Wiafe Akenteng’s insightful discussion highlights the profound importance of greetings in Ghanaian culture, emphasizing their role in fostering respect, community, and social harmony.
As Ghanaians continue to navigate the complexities of modern life, Dr. Akenteng’s words serve as a strong reminder of the enduring value of traditional values and customs.
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