ma + Optative

Ma here means let or allow. A second verb follows it in the optative:

• Ma menkɔ. (Let me go.)
• Ma yɛnkɔ. (Let us go.)
• Ma ɔnkasa. (Let him speak.)
• Ma wɔnkɔ. (Let them go.)

The person goes on the second verb. English says let me and let him. Twi puts the person on the second verb as a subject prefix, together with the nasal: menkɔ, ɔnkɔ, wɔnkɔ. With a name or noun there is no prefix, just the nasal: Ma Kofi nkɔ. (Let Kofi go.) For him or her you will hear both Ma ɔnkɔ and Ma no nkɔ (Let him go). Both are correct, and the verb keeps its nasal either way. See noun subjects.

Talking to a group. Ma is itself a command. To several people it becomes momma, as in group commands: Momma yɛnkɔ. (Let us go.)

With or without ma. Yɛnkɔ alone already means Let us go. Ma adds the idea of allowing, so Ma menhwɛ (Let me see) asks to be allowed to look.

Other meanings of ma. The same verb means give (ma (give)) and make someone do something (ma (make, cause)). Compare Ma me nsuo (Give me water) with Ma mennom nsuo (Let me drink water). After ma meaning let, the next verb always has the nasal.