In a thought-provoking interview, Ghanaian media personality Dr. Pounds, born Maximous Addae Mensah, has called for the revision of certain traditional Ghanaian proverbs, arguing that they no longer reflect the realities of modern life.
Speaking to Amansan Krakye on Property FM, Dr. Pounds highlighted how some of these age-old sayings have lost their relevance and usefulness in today’s world.
“Some of the indigenous Ghanaian proverbs we have to amend because they have outlived their usefulness and don’t reflect the times that we find ourselves in,” he said, challenging the enduring belief in the timelessness of proverbs.
He provided specific examples, including a popular Twi saying that translates to: “When an elderly person bathes, then the water in the house gets finished.”
Dr. Pounds questioned the practicality of this adage in today’s world, stating, “How can the water get finished? We’ll buy some; we have cars which supply water, and we have reservoirs and boreholes.”
Dr. Pounds emphasized the need for cultural evolution, noting that modern conveniences like boreholes, reservoirs, and water supply systems have rendered some proverbs outdated. He also pointed out another saying often used in Ghanaian culture:
“Before a blind man throws a stone, his leg must be on a stone.” He argues that such proverbs need a fresh perspective, much like how societies revisit and amend their laws and constitutions.
“Even our constitution, we want to amend it,” Dr. Pounds added, making the case that cultural sayings, like legal frameworks, should be adaptable to the times.
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