Ga term of address meaning 'father'. Zimmermann (1858) glosses ata (pl. atamei) as 'papa, father; address to married men in general', used only in the vocative. Nelson (2021) describes Ataa as an affectionate or reverent 'Father', as in the divine title Ataa Naa Nyɔŋmɔ.
He greeted the elder respectfully, beginning with 'Ataa'.