Days, Months, and Seasons in Twi: Time the Akan Way!
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
If you ever find yourself in Ghana trying to schedule a hangout, set a meeting, or just casually say "See you next week," knowing your Twi time vocabulary is a lifesaver. Time is sacred in Ghana—yes, even when we say we run on "Ghana Man Time."
In this post, we’ll take you through the days of the week, months of the year, and the seasons in Twi, sprinkled with humor, fun facts, and cultural nuggets you can chew like kelewele.
📅 Days of the Week in Twi
Did you know your day of birth often determines your name in Akan culture? So, knowing the days isn’t just helpful for your calendar—it’s part of your identity!
| English | Twi | Male Name | Female Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Kwasiada | Kwesi | Akosua, Esi |
| Monday | Ɛdwoada | Kojo | Adwoa |
| Tuesday | Ɛbenada | Kwabena, Ebo | Abena |
| Wednesday | Wukuada | Kweku, Yooku | Akua |
| Thursday | Yawoada | Yaw | Yaa |
| Friday | Efiada | Kofi | Afua |
| Saturday | Memeneda | Kwame | Amba, Ama |
Fun Fact: Ghanaian children are often named after the day they were born. So if your Ghanaian friend is named Kofi, now you know—they’re a Friday baby!
🌷 Months of the Year in Twi
Okay, let’s be honest: most folks in Ghana just say the English months with a thick Twi accent. But here are the official translations:
| English | Twi Equivalent | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| January | Ɔpɛpɔn | oh-peh-pohn |
| February | Ɔgyefoɔ | oh-gyee-fo |
| March | Ɔbɛnem | oh-beh-nem |
| April | Oforisuo | o-fo-ree-soo |
| May | Kotonimma | ko-to-nee-ma |
| June | Ayɛwohomumɔ | a-yee-woh-ho-mo-moh |
| July | Kitawonsa | kee-ta-won-sa |
| August | Ɔsanaa | oh-sa-na |
| September | Ɛbɔ | ɛ-bo |
| October | Ahinime | a-hee-nee-me |
| November | Obubuo | o-bu-boo |
| December | Ɔpɛnimma | oh-peh-nee-ma |
Reality Check: Many Ghanaians, especially in urban areas, use the English names. But these Twi versions still appear in traditional literature, folk songs, and occasionally, school curricula.
❄️ Seasons in Twi: Just Two!
Forget four seasons—Ghana runs on a simple, efficient two-season system:
Dry Season – "Ɔpɛ bere"
Harmattan time! Dust, dry lips, and everyone walking around with shea butter in their pockets.
Rainy Season – "Osutɔ bere"
Time to keep your umbrella handy. Expect floods, slippery roads, and lots of plantain.
Twi Tip: Weather expressions often go hand in hand with these seasons. For example:
Ɔsuo re tɔ – It's raining.
Awia re hyew – The sun is shining (like it owes someone money).
Wrapping Up: Time Isn’t Just Ticking, It’s Talking!
In Twi culture, time is more than a concept—it’s part of how we define ourselves. From the name you receive based on your birth day to how we adapt to the seasons, knowing Twi time terms brings you a step closer to feeling at home in Ghana.
Whether you're a Kofi or an Akosua, now you’ve got the lingo to hold your own in any Twi-talking time chat.
So, what day were you born?
Ready to Learn More? Download the NKENNE app to explore Twi in fun, bite-sized lessons.
✌️ Yɛ bɔhyia bio! (See you again!)