Author(s): Rita Ndonibi, Peter Mensah, Jonathan Essuman, Kingsley Ohene Adu Brempong

Abstract: Ama Ata Aidoo's artistic works have focused on Ghanaian realities of feminism, as evident in her novels and fictions, Changes: A Love Story (1991) and The Girl Who Can (1999). In these two texts, Aidoo attempts to depict modern feminine masculinity through the lives of Esi and Adjoa. This study is guided by the questions of how Aidoo navigates the complexities of contemporary women's lives, grappling with societal expectations, and how she presents the journey of self-actualisation in male-dominated societies. Using the masculine feminist approach and content analysis as the design, this study asserts that the Ghanaian woman is a strong individual who allows for ambition and choice and stresses the need for emancipation in a male-dominated society through resistance and assertiveness. While existing studies have examined feminism in Aidoo's works, few have explored how her concept of "masculine femininity" in both texts redefines resistance in male-dominated Ghanaian society, either through a comparative lens or in comparison with the texts themselves. This underscores Aidoo's dedication to portraying the struggles and successes of women, making her a central figure in this cause. With her powerful narratives and rich character development, her works engage with feminist and masculine perspectives. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature on feminist masculinity in contemporary society and deepen our understanding of the Ghanaian woman’s life and environment, thereby expanding self-awareness to achieve transformative change and shift perspective on how African society views women, ultimately calling for a new feminine identity.

Keywords: Complexity, Empowerment, Feminism, Male-Dominated, Masculinity.

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.111.17