Ama Ata Aidoo Quotes & Sayings

Sissie knew that she had to stop herself from crying. Why weep for them? In fact, stronger in her was the desire to ask somebody why the entire world has had to pay so much and is still paying so much for some folks' unhappiness. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Once in a while I catch myself wondering whether I would have found the courage to write if I had not started to write when I was too young to know what was good for me. — Ama Ata Aidoo

They had always told me that I wrote like a man. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Because I am an African, I am a Ghanaian. — Ama Ata Aidoo

It's a sad moment, really, when parents first become a bit frightened of their children. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Clearly, she was enjoying herself to see that woman hurt. It was nothing she had desired. Nor did it seem as if she could control it, this inhuman sweet sensation to see another human being squirming. It hit her like a stone, the knowledge that there is pleasure in hurting. A strong three-dimensional pleasure, an exclusive masculine delight that is exhilarating beyond all measure. And this too is God's gift to man? She wondered. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Time by itself means nothing, no matter how fast it moves, unless we give it something to carry for us; something we value. Because it is such a precious vehicle, is time. — Ama Ata Aidoo

For us Africans, literature must serve a purpose: to expose, embarrass, and fight corruption and authoritarianism. It is understandable why the African artist is utilitarian. — Ama Ata Aidoo

The very old certainly do not go back on lunch remains but they do bite back at old conversational topics ... — Ama Ata Aidoo

No matter what anybody says, we can't have it all. Not if you are a woman. Not yet. — Ama Ata Aidoo

From all around the Third World,
You hear the same story;
Rulers
Asleep to all things at
All times -
Conscious only of
Riches, which they gather in a
Coma -
Intravenously
So that
You wouldn't know they were
Feeding if it was not for the
Occasional
Tell-tale trickle somewhere
Around the mouth.
And when they are jolted awake,
They stare about them with
Unseeing eyes, just
Sleepwalkers in a nightmare. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Yes.
Work is love made visible. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Sissie could see it all. In her uncertain eyes, on her restless hands and on her lips, which she kept biting all the time.
But oh, her skin. It seemed as if according to the motion of her emotions Marija's skin kept switching on and switching off like a two-colour neon sign. So that watching her against the light of the dying summer sun, Sissie could not help thinking that it must be a pretty dangerous matter, being white. It made you feel awfully exposed, rendered you terribly vulnerable. Like being born without your skin or something. As though the Maker had fashioned the body of a human, stuffed it into a polythene bag instead of the regular protective covering, and turned it loose into the world.
Lord, she wondered, is that why, on the whole, they have had to be extra ferocious? Is it so they could feel safe here on the earth, under the sun, the moon and the stars? — Ama Ata Aidoo

At the age of 15, a teacher had asked me what I wanted to do for a career, and without knowing why or even how I replied that I wanted to be a poet. — Ama Ata Aidoo

You know perfectly well that if ever you really want to, you can come back to me, he said without the slightest trace of irony and cynicism, and left. — Ama Ata Aidoo

But what she also came to know was that someone somewhere would always see in any kind of difference, an excuse to be mean. — Ama Ata Aidoo

A dog among the masters, the most masterly of the dogs. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Toyin Falola has given us what is truly rare in modern African writing: a seriously funny, racy, irreverent package of memories, and full of the most wonderful pieces of poetry and ordinary information. It is a matter of some interest, that the only other volume A Mouth Sweeter Than Salt reminds one of is Ake, by Wole Soyinka. What is it about these Yorubas? — Ama Ata Aidoo

One had said, 'You say you come from Ghaanna? Then we have a lot in common!' Sissie didn't know what to do with the statement, uncertain of whether it was a threat or a promise.
'We had chiefs like you,' the Scot went on, 'who fought one another and all, while the Invader marched in.' Sissie thanked her, but also felt strongly that their kinship had better end right there. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Ghana is like a lion without a head — Ama Ata Aidoo

We are victims of our history and our present. They place too many obstacles in the way of love. And we cannot enjoy even our differences in peace. — Ama Ata Aidoo

And yet, I have not wronged you, have I? Indeed if there is anyone I may have sinned against, it is me. That desiring you as I do, needing you as I do, I still let you go. — Ama Ata Aidoo

O yes, everyone gets lonely some time or other. After all, if we look closer into ourselves, shall we not admit that the warmth from other people comes so sweet to us when it comes, because, we always carry with us the knowledge of the cold loneliness of death? — Ama Ata Aidoo

Things are working out ... towards their dazzling conclusions. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Humans, not places, make memories. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Africa is not fulfilling people's hopes and aspirations. African leaders have not had an agenda that included governing Africa so that people would find their careers, their life, dreams and visions fulfilled here. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Politicians are easy to attack, but frankly, we are all guilty of not meeting the needs of Africa's young people properly. — Ama Ata Aidoo

My lady Silk, remember that a man always gains in stature any way he chooses to associate with a woman - including adultery ... but in her association with a man, a woman is always in danger of being diminished. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Money-making is like a god possessing a priest. He never will leave you, until he has occupied you, wholly changed the order of your being, and seared you through and up and down. Then only would he eventually leave you, but nothing of you except an exhausted wreck, lying prone and wondering who are you. — Ama Ata Aidoo

MY WISH I wish I could have a woman like you To be my better half The mother of my children I wish I could have a woman like you To be the organizer of my home and The selector of my costume I wish I could have a woman like you To love her And be loved by her I wish I could have a woman like you To love my children And be loved by me children I wish I could have a woman like you Whom, I can walk with in public places And feel proud — Ama Ata Aidoo

The best way to sharpen a knife is not to whet one side of it only. And neither can you solve a riddle by considering only one end of it. — Ama Ata Aidoo

People are worms, and even the God who created them is immensely bored with their antics. — Ama Ata Aidoo

There are powerful forces undermining progress in Africa. But one must never underestimate the power of the people to bring about change. — Ama Ata Aidoo

Love? Love? Love is not safe, my lady silk, love is dangerous. It is deceitfully sweet like wine from a fresh palm tree at dawn. Love is fine for singing about and love songs are good to listen to, sometimes even to dance to. But when we need to count on human strength, and when we have to count pennies for food for our stomachs and clothes for our backs, love is nothing. Ah my lady, the last man any woman should think of marrying is the man she loves. — Ama Ata Aidoo