Hello Mr Friday Twin

I get called 'Aunty' a lot here (which I like a whole lot more than Madam). Kind people have told me this is an informal Ghanaian term of respect to someone older. Hmph.

There is a naming system in Akan language that is a more complex version of Bali's Wayan-Made-Nyoman-Ketut. Traditionally, a person's first name comes from the day (of the week) they were born while their surname is often that of a respected family member or close friend.

So Kwadwo is a boy born on Monday and Adwoa is a Monday girl. Kwabena and Abena are Tuesday's children; Kwaku/Koku and Akua are born on Wednesday; Yaw/Ekow and Yaa are Thursdays; Kofi and Afia are Fridays; Kwame and Amma are Saturdays and Akwasi/Kwasi and Akosua round out the week.

Then, there might also be names that are based on order of birth in a family - Piesie for the first born, Manu/Maanu for the second, Mensa/Mansa for the third and so on.

There are also informal names that might be given if there is something out of the ordinary about the birth. Ata/Ataa means twin, Afuom means 'in the field'(!) and Nyamekye means 'gift from God' and is given to a child born after a mother may have given up hope of pregnancy.

So a name can mean a lot here. Take Ghana's favourite son Kofi Atta Annan - not only born on a Friday, but also a twin. And I will now answer to Yaa Maanu. And Princess.