The influence of Ghanaian Proverbial Sayings in Ghana’s Fashion Industry (Ama Afun, U of Ghana)

Ama Afun.
Paradoxical Relationships: Assessing the influence of Ghanaian Proverbial Sayings on Partnerships and Collaboration in Ghana’s Fashion Industry

[SeunOlota]

According to Africans fathers,
proverbs drive words (in the literary context), meaning that, proverbs adorn words by giving them picturesque expressions on the subject matter.

There's also another that says, "when words are lost, it's proverbs that are used to locate or unravel them." Beyond these, proverbs help to develop critical thinking. They are philosophical embedded in logic.

Without a doubt, elders, initiates and natives use proverbs to code meanings, that at times, only the initiates, sons and daughters of the soil and home taught persons can understand what's was said even in the language one understands because there's a literary meaning and the actual or implied meaning to words usage.

In fact, the Yoruba (Nigeria) talking drum uses this a lot - the master drummer communicates with the drum. Some are for general consumption, others for initiates and some others could be for a specific person. That's why the drummer accompanies the Alaafin's (Oyo king) entourage and he constantly communicates with the people and sometimes only with the King and his accolytes and initiates.
It's a study on its own.

There's a cliche that a thoroughly bred son or daughter of the soil needs not to be helped to unravel the meaning of certain proverbs. I believe this ancient wisdom has over time enriched and profited the African literature, music and lifestyle when properly deployed. They carry weight and are colorful.

As for partnership and collaboration, it's all about knowing one's values and matching them to those of one's potential partners. However, the value of contractual agreements should not be over looked. Everyone should be explicit about this as regards their expectations, boundaries and obligations in the agreement.

Meanwhile, good business could go bad because people change or get influenced, nevertheless, it does not negate the vitality of partnetships in business and it has varying degrees. Even the conglomerates that have been stable in business for decades and centuries still engage in partnerships.