Do you know of any Afia, Afua or Efua? Then see why they are so influential, powerful and successful

The Ghanaian name system is very strategic and well selected. Children automatically pick their names from the day they were born. Though some people decide not to use them officially, they still identify themselves as such. Just like any other country in the world, they are also given a family name and their own names, or otherwise referred to as First Names.

The Akans use the Kwa language group’s system of timekeeping, which is based on the six-day week with the seventh day inclusive. In most Akan homes,  Sunday-born males and females are named Kwasi or Kwesi and Akosua respectively (meaning ‘associated with the universe’ or children of the Sun god).

Monday-borns are Kwadwo or Kojo, Adjoa or Adwoa (meaning ‘associated with peace’); Tuesday-borns are Kwabena or Kobi, Abena (meaning ‘associated with the ocean’); Wednesday-borns are Kwaku or Kweku, Akua (meaning ‘associated with spider/Ananse’, meaning they are very cunning); Thursday-borns are Yaw, Yaa (meaning ‘associated with the earth’); Friday-borns are Kofi, Afia or Afua (meaning ‘associated with fertility’, pride and high ambitious people); and Saturday-borns are Kwame, Ama (meaning ‘associated with God’).

In this article, we explore Afia, Efua or Afua. These are names given to Females who are born on Friday and see what character traits many of them have in common using Ghanaian celebrities as case studies. We will use Afia to represent all the variations; Afia, Efua, and Afua.

Afias are influential women

Afias, whichever field of life they find themselves are very influential and hold much significance; be it in academia, culture or society, media, business and many more. You cannot talk about the academic advancement of Literature-in-English in Ghana without hearing and mentioning the name of Efua Sutherland.

Efua Theodora Sutherland was an award-winning Ghanaian playwright, director, dramatist, children’s author, poet, educationalist, researcher, child advocate, and cultural activist. Her works include Foriwa, Edufa, and The Marriage of Anansewa, which are being used locally and internationally to teach the Ghanaian culture, and the African feminism all across the globe.

Although she is dead, her works remain relevant and dominant in the field of academia.

Also, chieftaincy in Ghana has long and still is seen as the playground of men. However, the story changed when the famous Ashanti Queen mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II ascended the throne. Her influence remains unmatched even before his son, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, the overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom ascended the throne. Many who are close to the throne believe, she guided Osei Tutu II to become the powerful king he is now.

Afias are untamed and do as they wish

Afias are wild untamed and would do as they wish without taking into consideration what or how their actions and lifestyles would affect others, especially those around them or those who care for them. In modern times, celebrities like Afia Schwarzenegger, Sista Afia and Efia Odo have proven this character traits totally.

Afia Schwarzenegger has on countless occasions gone nude, leaked explicit photos of herself and when criticized by the public she responds briefly with a similar action to show she would do exactly what she wants.

The situation isn’t different from Sista Afia, a nephew to one of Ghana’s famous preachers, Archbishop Duncan Williams. Ordinarily, one would expect Sista Afia to live a Christ-like or church-like life, one befitting an Archbishop’s nephew but that isn’t the case, she lives wild, seen at most night clubs, wild parties, beefing and releasing sexually enticing pictures of herself on social media.

Same can be said about Efia Odo. She came from nothing but made a name for herself by sharing revealing images of herself on social media. Although this behavior of hers has been chastised by society, she still remains unperturbed. Last year, Efia Odo made headlines after sharing an almost-nude picture of herself.

Afias are aggressive and fearless

It is a huge mistake for anyone to believe and think that they can bully an Afia with their social status, wealth or positions. This is so because whoever you are, if you strike an Afia, they don’t chicken out but strike right back and they do what must be done without fear or reproach.

Afia Schwarzenegger has on countless occasions faced off with some top-notch officials in the country who tried to shake her off, classic is her confrontation with maverick legislator Kennedy Agyapong who tried to bully her, but she faced Kennedy Agyapong squarely, a risk most people won’t take considering the high-level connections Kennedy Agyapong has.

Same can be said about songstress Efya. She started active music in the year 2008, a period where the music scene was highly dominated by males; the likes of R2bees, Kwaw Kese, Stay-J, Nana Boroo, Sarkodie, who were then introducing Ghanaians to azonto. All though Efya’s genre of music was Afro-soul, something that wasn’t patronized by Ghanaians then, her fearless nature not to fear failure pushed her music through and her aggressiveness enabled her to roll with the male artistes and land music collaboration with them.

Remember that Efya and Irene Logan formed a group buy Irene is yet to release a hit song but Efya has had hits over hits and even headlined Girl Talk concert.

Sista Afia after fighting her way through all critics who would have her behave like the niece of an archbishop, it was her fearlessness that kept her going. So far, she has fearlessly faced off anyone who threatened her and her music, Eno barony can testify to that. It took Sista Afia to for Ghanaians to pay attention to the extra-ordinary talent of Eno Barony.

Efia Odo’s aggressiveness of hers helped her win the heart of Shatta Wale, who has stated, he will always have her back, a thing many Ghanaian stars wish for, looking at his large followership. Shatta Wale graced advertised and graced the launch of Efia Odo’s Wine Shop for free.

Ghana’s journalism scene is highly dominated by males making it a no place for women, the reason why the country has just a handful of top-notch journalists, among these is the fearless Afia Pokua, also known as Vim Lady. Her nick VIM LADY alone says a lot. She fought through all the odds to the position of Editor at Adom until she left for Despite Media’s UTV.

In 2018, she founded the SugarDem Ministry, a gender parity activist group set up to advocates for women to uphold stricter relationships with men. If you know about the group, you would testify to how the group talks about societal issues most people shy away from and fear to talk about in the name of feminism. Vim Lady is like one woman against all feminists. It’s not that she doesn’t subscribe to feminism, she is one but does not believe in the weird thoughts of most Ghanaian feminists.

Afias are very successful

Afias, as I stated, are very successful where they find themselves because of their ability to do what they feel is very right for them and their businesses. In current times,  most Afias are extremely successful. Songstress Efya, started and become a household name in the Ghana music industry at a time when the music scene was dominated by guys and has remained relevant since she registered her name in the music scenes.

Efia Odo, Afia Schwarzenegger, Sista Afia have also made it as social media influencers and this has even landed them endorsement deals. In journalism in Ghana currently, one cannot mention female journalists and leave out the name of Afia Pokua or Vim Lady, it’s not possible.

The names go on and on. Afia English holds the title as the first female to do entertainment blogging in Ghana.

Do you know that Oheneyere Gifty Anti is also Afia? Don’t be surprised that she a role model for many young ladies today. Efua Sunderland and Afua Kobi are enough indications that Afia is not just a name, it has a positive effect on their lives.