Digital Echoes of Tradition: How Social Media Reinforces Gender Ideologies in Akan Proverbs

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigates the ideological portrayal of women in Akan proverbs and Ghanaian social media commentary, with a specific focus on how both domains reflect and reproduce patriarchal values. It seeks to understand the extent to which traditional proverbs portraying women as dependent, subservient, and lacking agency are reinforced in contemporary digital discourse. Methodology: Guided by Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis (FCDA), the study critically analyzes selected Akan proverbs alongside social media comments about prominent Ghanaian women, including parliamentarians, deputy directors, and the female vice president. The FCDA framework enables an in-depth examination of how gendered power relations and ideologies are encoded and perpetuated through language. Findings: The analysis reveals that the patriarchal ideologies embedded in traditional proverbs continue to manifest in social media discourse. Comments frequently question women’s capabilities, moral authority, and legitimacy in public leadership roles, reinforcing long-standing stereotypes. Social media thus operates not only as a communicative platform but also as a digital space that replicates oral traditional gender biases. Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: This study fills a gap in current literature by linking oral cultural narratives with digital commentary, offering a nuanced understanding of gender representation in both traditional and modern contexts. It contributes to feminist discourse analysis by demonstrating how ideological continuity across communicative modes can inform efforts toward gender equity and social transformation in Ghanaian society.