The proverb above, symbolized by the Hen, is the motto of Volta Hall, the all-female Hall of residence at University of Ghana. The original proverb driving the symbol was, ‘The hen knows it’s a new day, yet looks to the rooster to announce it.’ This was once a well-known saying reinforcing a dominant traditional view of women as subservient to men.

In the mid-1990s, more than 30 years after the Hall was established, its radical female management rebelled, modifying the adage to conform with emerging trends in gender equality. The new proverb omits the rooster’s role, and renders the saying as follows: ‘The hen also knows it’s a new day.’ Even though unknown in oral traditions, this was seen as a perfect capsule of evolving gender trends at the University, and compelled the University of Ghana to adopt the new adage, leaving intact the visual symbolism of Mother Hen.

The new proverb implies that the hen’s silence at the crack of dawn is not a sign of ignorance; neither does the rooster’s awakening call mean it has monopoly over knowledge. The rooster’s tendency to broadcast new knowledge is not a statement on male superiority, but signals unique roles inherent by nature. While the rooster typically ventilates new knowledge by crowing, the hen by nature internalizes its awareness.

‘The hen also knows it’s a new day,’ within academic spaces, emphasizes gender parity in knowledge acquisition.

Gender equality is a highly cherished principle at Ashesi University, where inclusive education is not compromised.