THE INK
By Bernice Arthur
By Deborah Benning
THE INK T H E
Editors-in-Chief
Tanitoluwa Olamiji Adebayo
Nyameye ‘Kiki’ Akumia
Writers
Fridah Cheboi, Kerzia Ocansey,
Immanuel Ifeanyi Jibunoh, Nkrumah
Fouvle, Afua Saawah OthcereMensah, Joshua Chiefo-Ejiofobiri
Layout Editor
Janet Boye
Editor
Deborah Benning
Graphic Design
Senam Dzomeku
Photography
Ronelle Cudjoe
Social Media
Bernice Arthur
Adelaide Nunekpeku
FROM THE EDITOR
hello!
I’m tired. Aren’t you tired? Who isn’t tired, right?
It’s been a long, yet seemingly short semester so far. A lot has happened, and sometimes it feels like nothing has happened at all. Anyway, we’ve had the half-time break - it always feels a bit too short, doesn’t it?- and how the second half is about to kick off. With the USTUN sports awards coming up, we figured we’d bring you the stories of some of the premier athletes and personalities that the hills have to offer. We also have a few opinion pieces here and there. We do hope you enjoy this mini-issue. We have a lot planned for the main issue coming later. Here’s something to whet your appetite.
Editor-in-Chief
M O V I N G O N
The concept of moving on sounds so easy. But you try and realize it’s harder than you thought. What’s the right way? Is there a method to it? What are the right steps? When will i know if actually moved on?
It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of failed attempts to move on. You start to try to move on, then you fail, then you try again. Sometimes you think i’ve moved on, then after sometime, can even be years, you think about it and your chest caves in or your breathe stills for a second and that sigh after the thought pops up makes you realise maybe you haven’t actually moved on.
Some of us approach moving on differently. Some of us jump head first into the next activity, some withdraw and even sink into depression. I think the first step is being honest with yourself and accepting that whatever happened, happened.
Moving on is hard. And i think we’re all allowed to grief in our own ways. Yes, I said grief because you’re moving on from an experience you loved, which can be equated to losing someone.
We’re all learning. There’s no guide book to life, we’re writing our own story, with the hope that eventually it’ll be an interesting read.
All in due time.
Written by Deborah Benning
Pfungwa
Ever confident, boundlessly creative, absolutely fearless
BY TANI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RONELLE CUDJOE
Tani: I’m talking to… actually introduce yourself.
Pfungwa: Well my name is Pfungwa I think that’s the name that people know me by. A few people call me Chipuru, but that’s like two people. So yeah, I’m Pfungwa. I am an engineering student. I’m from Zimbabwe. I’m a sports person. I am an occasional writer. And… what else am I? I love sports and writing
Tani: I like your socks and how you dress in general. Describe your relationship with fashion.
Pfungwa: I don’t basically have a relationship with fashion *Laughs* But I think I have a relationship with how clothes make me feel. I think it’s really like an important medium for expression in a way and I think a lot of people have commented about my socks.
I think of everything that I wear I like my socks the most. Because... I don’t know. They’re just my socks, man. I don’t know. I used to lose my socks a lot, so I kinda made a personality out of having different colored socks.
I used to be worried that I don’t dress the way that I’m supposed to But then I realized I’m dressing to feel comfortable. I’m dressing for me and not for people. So… its just a matter of “how do I feel today? let’s go with that” rather than “a real woman wears this and that”. I think that really changed the way that I view clothes and the way that I view myself as well
Tani: You also have dreads, and you didn’t always have that. How did that come about? Were you inspired by someone here?
Pfungwa: It wasn’t someone here In fact, I actually did come freshman year, first semester; I came with dreads already.
Tani: It was brown braids, if I remember correctly.
Pfungwa: Yeah I had brown braids, but I had my locks underneath So I got my locks crotched and then had braids on top. That’s why some people would think that I wasn’t a dreadhead from the start. I mean, my locks were two days old by then. I got locks because I didn’t want to put a lot of effort into maintaining my hair I also thought that they were really cool And seeing girls with
locks just gave me this aesthetic that I felt would fit in with me. I felt like I could “rock” locks, essentially. I think I had been thinking about it for like two years by the time I did it I’ve wanted locks from around 2020 And then I finally got them done in 2022. So it was just a series of seeing a lot of people in locks that made me feel like “I can look cool in this”. And I think I do, actually.
I think I’ve been the most confident I’ve been about my appearance after I got locks. And I think it even shows in the way that I handle myself and take care of my hair. I didn’t used to care, but now I try to make sure that everything is good and great with my hair and everything. So I don’t know, you could say it was a calling.
Tani: That’s kind of a nice segue into the next question. You’re one of the most outgoing and confident members of the community we have here Generally, I think you’re one of the most popular members of the class of 2026 How did that confidence to be yourself and always speak your mind come about?
Pfungwa: This is making me think It’s possible that I was always like that.
Tani: You were born like this.
Pfungwa: Yeah I think I was born like this because it’s not something that I do intentionally or that I try to embody or anything. I understand that when people speak about confidence and being outgoing, they speak of it in terms of stepping outside of their comfort zone and things like that.
But for me, it's never been something that I need motivation for. There’s this part of my brain that just ticks towards being that person, you know? I could credit my mom a lot for it. She allowed me to do anything and be anything. So I think I carried that “I’m allowed to do and be anything” mindset such that I’m not really worried about what everyone else thinks of me. I think it could’ve been growing up unrestricted, but at the same time, I think I was just born like this.
Tani: That’s interesting. So… another question. How does it feel, in my very biased opinion as the head of the Pfungwa fan club, to be the best football player in Ashesi?
Pfungwa: I don’t exactly think of myself as the best football player in Ashesi, but I do think that I’m good and comfortable with the ball. *laughs*. I think it feels good for people to kinda see that way To look at me and be like, “You’re a genius at this” It feels great.
Tani: Do you ever feel pressured or feel like you have to perform every time you go on the pitch for Kasanoma?
Pfungwa: Yes That’s because I have this terribly oversized ego that I think playing football in Ashesi has really helped me tame and control. It’s a lot of internal pressure
The funny thing is that I didn’t used to think that people cared a lot or thought much about football in Ashesi, but when I’m around, people refer to the fact that I play football a lot. Even when it comes to members of staff. I remember one time the provost called me the best football player, and I was shy.
Tani: You were shy? That’s crazy
Pfungwa: *laughs* That kinda made me realize the amount of scrutiny that’s around football. It's an “all eyes on me” kinda thing. To some extent that gives me a lot of pressure because I always feel like I have to perform I have to prove myself
I have to do better than I did in the last game Maybe that comes from the fact that I just think of myself as a good football player and not necessarily the best, and maybe I’m trying to get to this point where I’m comfortable enough to call myself the best anyway. But yeah, there is a lot of pressure.
Tani: Why Kasanoma? Why not Elite or Red Army? Of all the teams, why Kasanoma?
Pfungwa: The thing is, I wasn’t going to play football in Ashesi. I was not going to play football ever in my life. What happened is that I learned football in our yard We had a very big yard, and I had a lot of brothers and cousins living with us at the time. So they used to play football, and I liked it, and I used to play football with them. So all of the football skills that I have, they’re from that time. When we went to primary school, at break time, I used to play football with the boys I was quite famous for that And I used to get into a bit of trouble because there were teachers who didn’t like me playing football with the boys. So it was very chaotic, and I remember at some point my mom had to get called into school concerning my behavior, which wasn’t anything odd, just the fact that I was playing football with boys And I actually used to attend practice sometimes I remember getting into like grade 7 still attending practice and playing football, ut what that did is that it made me feel like football wasn’t a thing for girls.
So in as much as I spent the whole of my primary school attending practice and playing football… The coach loved me, and during practice, they’d make me play, but when it was time for competitions, they’d carry me along, but I never got the chance to play. I do feel like I was better than some of the boys. Because when you’re in primary school going down, I personally feel like sporting abilities for boys and girls are almost at par. When you now grow, I guess that’s when, you know, the separation comes along.
So I did feel like I was better than some of the guys that they gave chances to play. I didn’t get a chance to play, mainly because I was a girl. So what ended up happening is that they carried me along as a reporter. So I’d write reports about what happened and then present them at assembly.
After I left primary school, I just told myself that this [football] wasn’t for me So I stopped playing soccer and started playing handball, which I was really good at as well, but that’s not something I do right now, although I still love it.
So I go to high school. I never played football at all. I think I only played once because they didn’t have enough people to play. And I remember the coach used to hunt me, and I used to tell him that I wasn’t good, 9
I can’t play, that type of thing. I didn’t feel strongly about it like I used to do when I was younger. I think my experience made it a bit sour and made me feel like I didn’t belong there.
So when I came to Ashesi, one of the days, I was just moving on about. I was going to the volleyball court, actually. It was the first week, and I met Stone (Samuel Oppong Peprah). And Stone was the coach of Kasanoma ladies at that point, and he was like, “Do you play football?” and I told him no And he was like, “Have you played before?” and I said, “No, I’ve never played football before”
Tani: Lies
Pfungwa: *Laughs* He was like, “I feel like you’d be good at it ” You know He just started convincing me to sign for his team, and I was adamant that I wasn’t going to play, but I think he was good at convincing me to play, and I ended up signing for Kasanoma.
So I think it was more of a first come first serve thing, But when it did go down with Ariana, I liked the team and from then on, I’ve been Kasanoma forever. Yeah, but I was not going to play football. I don’t think I was going to play football ever And it’s crazy because the things that I started using to play football when I came here were 13, 14-year-old me skills. I had not played football during the time in between. So it was just the natural reflexes and things, but yeah I was not going to play football.
Tani: I’m guessing you’re expecting a clean sweep at the USTUN awards?
Pfungwa: I’m confident that most of the awards that I get nominated for, I’ll get them But I also do think that there is a lot more that goes into awards More than simply being good. I think it's a tough bet for everyone who has been nominated because some things you think are so obvious, and on the day, everyone is shocked because a certain person didn’t win this award and everything So I’m confident, but I’m not 100% sure it’ll be a clean sweep I do hope it is, though. It’ll do a lot for me and my esteem and my ego and stuff.
Tani: I’m here for it! So… you don’t only play football, you play volleyball as well Tell me about that How did that come about? Is that something you’ve always been into?
Pfungwa: No *laughs* So the funny thing is that I didn’t really play volleyball before. The story of how I tried playing volleyball before is kinda funny. I was interested in a person who played volleyball and was super amazing at it. I was a kid at that time. I think sometime in highschool, because of that person, I then tried to play volleyball, but it was a mess. Volleyball wasn’t my sport. I was a very terrible player, but a lot of that is gone
So I tried playing volleyball because of some other person who isn’t relevant now anyway. But it’s funny because sometimes I look at how I play volleyball now, and I laugh because I don’t know if it's still connected to that initial motivation, but I doubt it very much But anyway, when I came here, I was walking around campus, and they were playing volleyball at the new basketball court, and it looked really fun. And they were playing mixed teams. So I just joined in the fun, and I didn’t hate it. But what happened on the court was someone collided with me, and I ended up injuring my right arm. It was terrible. It really hurt. After that, you’d think that I wouldn’t go to the volleyball court, but the next Friday I was there I think I've always been an athletic person, and it's not hard for me to learn the workings of sports So after that Friday, I just came back again and again anf again And now I can kinda spike *laughs*. Now I play better than I did when I came here for someone who had no idea how to play volleyball initially. I think it's this constant need to be better at things that kind of makes me continue going back and trying new things. I’m not afraid of trying new things.
Tani: Speaking of trying new things, you’re an international student, you’re from Zimbabwe That’s not in West Africa So, being here (in Ghana) is a whole new thing. What’s that experience like? With the new food, culture, and new versions of English, I guess. How did that go?
Pfungwa: I think I was lucky because I did a year of high school in Ghana. I think that’s one piece of my lore that’s not popular, but I did my A-levels in Tema. I was young. I was 17, 18 at the time I came and I remember when I left home The day that I left home I remember hugging everyone I was fucking excited I was so excited I just quickly hugged my family members, and the next thing I knew, I had my passport and my bag, and I was off, and I was entering that gate of no return at the airport. And I didn’t think to cry or bond with my family or get really emotional about it. All that I know is that I was super excited at the thought of going to a different country, going to Ghana, doing my A-levels, and trying to see what the world has for me after that. And up until this day, my mom looks at me, and she always tells me that I surprise her a lot because I am one of her kids who’s never really cried at separations Whenever I’m trying new things or going into new things, I’m very enthusiastic about it I’m like, “Let’s get up and seize the day”. So I think that explains what made me find comfort in being away from home. I mean, it’s really hard, not going to lie, because after I had just left Zimbabwe when I was like 17, 18, I think two months later, that’s when I cried *laughs*. I think that’s when the reality kinda set in. I’m this young person far away from home, and I’m just trying to make things work, trying to find myself, trying to get good grades in school, trying to figure out where I’m going from here, and I’ve literally left my family and everything that I’ve known and I’m in a different country. I think my excitement for things normally blurs reality for me. So I think the reason why Ashesi and Ghana are very comfortable for me is because of that initial experience of leaving home and going into uncharted territory. So I think, um… what was the question again?
Tani: Your experience adjusting here
Pfungwa: So my experience adjusting here was very easy because I feel like I’ve been here before. Like I’ve seen this before. Been there and done that, so there’s nothing crazy about this. So it was very easy to kinda assimilate. And I also think that Ashesi, being an African school, like everyone here is black, so it’s like you’re not at home, but everyone is like you.
Tani: We’re all niggas
Pfungwa: Yeah. It’s not too big of an adjustment. Yeah. And… the food. I’m such a picky eater. It’s
annoying. I am very particular about my food and the way that it tastes. Sometimes, I can even go for extended periods of time without eating because I get annoyed at food
When I was in high school here in Ghana, that’s when I did try to eat some foods, but I chose to stick to what I knew. And even with what I know, sometimes it's very tricky. Actually there’s a funny encounter that I had. So the first day that I came to Ghana, they were serving Fufu and rice. And, you know, “I’m new here let me see what they got!” and I tried to eat fufu. So what I did was that I chewed it. And I don’t know if anyone that was born eating fufu has tried to chew it but its sitkcy and its funny and i remember just swallowing that and leaving the plate where I found it And I remember our patron coming and asking, “Who ate this?” and I was like, “It was me. I thought it was going to be good…” That kinda thing. And so from then I’ve actually never eaten fufu. I’ve tried Banku. I like Kenkey, but a particular type of Kenkey. Like there’s so specific things I would want it to come with before I eat it. So until I find that again, I’m probably never going to eat Kenkey again.
Tani: So you mentioned that you’re a writer What type of pieces do you write? Do you have a blog? What inspires you to write?
Pfungwa: So… I used to write. Right now. Not as much. I think Ashesi happened and right now I think I kinda direct my creative energy into other things, So with the writing, I’ve always been writing. I remember in primary school, I used to write stories I think every writer is someone born off of an English teacher’s applause because when your English teacher tells you “Oh my God this is so good” and she’s reading your essays to other kids, you’re like “you know what? I got the dog in me”. So I think that external validation gave me a lot to work with when it came to thinking of myself as a writer. But also I used to read a lot. Maybe in my other life I could be classified as a nerd. I don’t know. But I used to read a lot. I got a lot of exposure through reading. And I think at some point, if you’re a reader, you get to a point where you’re like “let me write my own story” So, I spent a lot of highschool just writing, making up things in my head Some time in 2020, I started a blog because I felt like “you know what? I like the way I think I like the way my thoughts flow. I like the way I write. So let me just kinda try and share it with people and everything”. So that’s how I started a blog but after December 2022, I’ve never really written anything that’s to be properly published.
There’ve been a few competitions here and there I think I still have it I still feel the need to write and the same emotions that I feel that drove me to write before but there’s just not time and I’ve directed my creative juices to other things. I really think that engineering requires a lot of your energy and your creativity.
You need to have a certain level of creativity that I think is being drawn from the writing. I just do other creative stuff that’s not writing And for me to go sleep at night, I just tell myself that its worth it In as mich as I’m not a writer right now, I’m directing my creativity to other things and that’s fine when the time comes I think I’d start writing again. I would want to start writing again. i really love writing and I have some people who I really look up to because of how they write. I love the creatives brain. I look at creative people and I’m like “that’s a magnificent brain that you’ve got”. Like the ability to make things up, sharing them, the ability to make people feel, to move people. I think it’s really beautoful and I would want to try that later
Tani: How does engineering fit with Pfungwa?
Pfungwa: Um… I like to think of myself as a thinker and engineering has realy taught me to think and I think Engineering really requires people who think. That’s the reason why I feel like I belong there. The fact that you’re taught how think You’re not taught things You’re taught how to think about things like how to create, how to design, how to build and things like that And in as much as rhat requires technical abilities, I also believe that it requires a lot of creativity, so I think that’s the part where I fit in. Sometimes I feel like if it wasn’t like that I would have never thought of doing engineering. Oh and also because its hard. I don’t know if I’m on some BDSM shit but I love the pain.
Tani: You’re a masochist
Pfungwa: yeah I could be some kind of a masochist because I love how complex it is. I love how you have to earn things.
Lighted hearted questions
Tani: What would be the title of your autobiography?
Pfungwa: I think I’ll just name it Pfungwadorable
Tani: Describe yourself in one word
Pfungwa: Adorable
Tani: If you were to create a personalized playlist for a romantic night, what songs would be on it?
Pfungwa: *laughs* Um… Taylor Swift: Fortnight, The Tortured Poets Department (the song), PeterTaylor Swift, Cardigan. Let me check my Spotify cause I swear its not all Taylor Swift. I would put Snoh Aalegra: Someone like you, I want you around. I would put The National: Send for me. Lil Simz: I see you I think that’s really an important affirming kinda song. I would put Arlo Parks: Pegasus
A M O M E N T I N T I M E
Don’t give yourself 6 months, or a year to become the best version of you. Give yourself this minute, this hour, today- just this moment. Focus on achieving something in this moment, even if it’s just inhaling and exhaling. The first step is the hardest to take and no matter how irrelevant it may seem or debilitating it feels, it’s also the most important. Reduce your scope, and give yourself a little credit. You fell, you’re probably still down, maybe you’re still hurting but you’ve thought about getting better and that’s good enough. You don’t owe it to anyone to be at a 100% immediately, this is YOUR journey, but maybe it’s time to make that decision. In the despair which i promise you, is temporary, you can find yourself again. your chest feels hollow and tight all at once, but you’re actually incredibly strong. There’s no magic word or formula to it, it’s just hope. Cling to that hope, a moment at a time.
Y O U
It’s not your job to fix someone’s lonely. It’s not your job to justify someone’s behavior. it’s not your job to keep holding on. It’s not your job to stay in a situation that isn’t serving you. it’s not your job to pretend to be okay. It’s your job to focus on you. Your job is YOU
Written by Deborah Benning
FINDING FRANKIE
By Nyameye ‘Kiki’ Akumia
Photography by Ronelle Cudjoe
“Super-fergalicious”
I’m just as confused as you are about what that means, but that’s what multi-talented sportsman, Franklyna Boamah (a.k.a Frankie) had to say when asked for the first word that comes to her mind. In her red t-shirt, with her blue bottle and blue iPhone case, our resident jack-of-all-trades stayed calm as she talked to us (me, Kiki, and my co-interviewer, Ifeanyi) about her life, her love of sports and the state of Ashesi.
WHERE DID IT START AND HOW IS IT NOW?
“Backstory: My parents did sports when they were younger My dad played football, my mum what didn’t my mum do? I think I started playing football when I was 7/8. My granddad was a football referee so sports have been in the family for a while. From 7, I was playing with boys in my school, then I’d come home and play with my dad When I came here [Ashesi], freshman year I think every young person is just like ‘I want to win stuff!’ I think now, though, I just play. I mean I want to win, but not to be the best the best.”
Knowing this about her, I decided to ask her about how she feels commitment and passion have changed in her football career here.
“On a general scale as the years go by, the standard goes down. Like with commitment, people just play for fun. It’s a competition but people play for fun so it’s not as competitive as it used to be. And then people will be like ‘Oh it’s not that deep’. It’s deep; there’s a trophy on the line Most people don’t avidly seek glory. But we need to play to win We don’t bust all the moves on the pitch just for fans, else what’s the whole point?”
ON HER WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS
“I enjoy playing football,” she says, calmly sipping her water. It’s not something she has to contemplate. “I enjoy coaching. It’s like a rest time for me. After school,
… it’s not stressful to have to do these other things. Maybe it’s just me.”
Soon enough it turned from a conversation about her personal connection to the sport to a rumination on how students interact with that aspect of student life.
“The relationship between sports and the student body has gotten better, because now we’re seeing an emergence of different sports Now we have badminton, netball, handball, etc. There was a time back where all we had was football, basketball, volleyball… and volleyball wasn’t a league, it was just people having fun.
And football was the only main thing. I won’t say there’s much improvement left, … where we are is pretty good It would be nice if more people turn up to events but where we are is cool ”
FRANKIE’S SPORTS CAREER - A SMALL BREAKDOWN
After laughing and cracking jokes about her style, her family, her extracurricular interests, we finally got down to talking about her resume’s worth of activity in this school. By this point in the interview, Tani (Editorin-Chief) and Pfungwa (another interviewee) have joined in on the conversation.
“I played with Elite, Northside, and now I’m with Kasanoma.” Pfungwa interjects to claim that this is a ‘weird choice… of all the teams’ but we’ll get to that later. “Elite was my first team,” Frankie continues. “It was pretty fun. Elite skyrocketed my playing career. I left Elite for a semester to go on loan to Northside, because it was the FA cup and I wanted to win so bad It had been a minute since we actually won games. At that point, I just became utterly selfish, and I left that semester and we actually won the FA cup.”
“And I went back to Elite, because I told them I wasn’t just ditching I was just going to chase for gold and I came back. So that was the truth.”
‘It still wasn’t going as smoothly as planned.’ And this is where the idea to move to Kasanoma was planted. ‘Kasanoma went to speak to [her] multiple times ’ For a whole year, apparently ‘At the time where [she] thought [she] could leave, [she] was the captain so [she thought] that would be shady.’
“But then coming into last semester, I thought I’ve had a long run with Elite, and it was only fair to join Kasanoma I didn’t want to be a star man in the team I wanted to join a bunch of stars. So joining Kasanoma, where Pfungwa is a star, Angel is a star and I’m like the third man, I’m fine with that. As opposed to, ‘when they mention Elite, they mention Frankie’. Else when you don’t perform, it’s like, ‘oh, you didn’t perform so
the team didn’t perform’ but I just want to play ball And I wanted to enjoy quality football as well. And Kasanoma is giving me that.”
ON HER EXPERIENCES WITH COACHES
“Good and bad I’ve had good coaches, I’ve had excellent coaches. I’ve had god-awful coaches. And, when I say god-awful, I mean people who don’t care about the job. They think it’s a girl’s team so they’re playing to have fun. So the element of, like I said earlier, passion and ambition is non-existent ”
ON GENDER AND ITS IMPACT ON FOOTBALL ON CAMPUS
“It impacts football badly. Even the refs, there was a game we played recently. In the school’s league we have, I think, 2 linesmen and a ref. In the girl’s league, we only have a referee. And the referee, a woman, is like ‘oh, it’s a girl’s team, I can do everything.’”
“When it comes to students’ reaction to the girl’s league, though, it’s not bad – surprisingly. It may not be on the same scale as the men’s league but it’s not terribly below. People turn up to watch the women’s games. I think the competitiveness is rising.”
ON COACHING THE BOYS ELITE.
“Coaching the boys’ football team was not in my cards at all I was in the administration but, when they did the vetting, they included me and I got the job. But I think it’s player management that I’m pretty good at. I think that’s what they looked at because I’m not top-of-the-ladder when it comes to tactics.”
This was immediately followed by input from Pfungwa.
Pfungwa: “I think Frankie is one of the best football players in the league. Do you think of yourself like that and does that maybe influence the way that you play?”
Frankie: “I always think I’m the best I’ve never in my life thought I’m just okay. I think I’m quite a good player and it unconsciously affects how I play. I’m good and I’m confident.”
ON THE INTENSENESS OF ELITE
“There’s a whole system in Elite FC Elite FC is literally a franchise If you’ve been a coach, then stuff happened before you become a coach You would have been in the culture for a while… before you ascend to being a coach. Cuz the past ones are texting you “Why didn’t you win this game?” “Why haven’t you won a cup?” It’s like being the avatar, but it’s a good experience.”
Ifeanyi: “Did that create any pressure to improve tactically or in other areas outside of player management?”
Frankie: “You will definitely want to improve You wouldn’t want to be shit for too long. If you really care about what they’ve given you, you’ll want to improve ”
GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHADOW ANY EXECUTIVE WITHIN A COMPANY, WHICH ROLE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
“I think HR is fun. I think it’s one segment in a company where you actually interact with individuals. Getting to know someone and hearing their complaints is you doing your job. You’re chatting for money. It’s similar to coaching, it’s people management at the end of the day ”
“I’m really into people. People are interesting. There are like over a thousand people you can meet everyday. Varying traits and whatnot, people have sh*t to say. People are funny oh People are people and it’s just fun to interact with people ”
GIF YOU HAD TO MAKE A ROMANTIC PLAYLIST, WHAT 7 SONGS WOULD BE ON IT?
The original prompt said five songs, but Frankie said this is “[her] bag” so we let her have seven Coffee - Miguel Adorn - MIguel
Congratulations - Mac Miller
Can You stand The Rain - New Edition 20191009 I Like Her - Marc DeMarco
“I listen to a lot of love songs. I have to pick the best ones because y’know… my aura.”
SURPRISE SURPRISE… MORE MUSIC
“People don’t know this, but I went to music school for a while I started learning the violin The stance was so painful so I stopped. Then I moved on to the piano, because my dad plays the piano. I graduated from music school with that but because my dad plays the piano I felt I had to be different. My dad plays the piano almost everyday. So I learned the trumpet; that’s my dominant instrument. But I can play anything, just show me how it works and in a few minutes I can play.”
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR AURA IS?
“Infinity. It’s beyond time, age, space, gender, country. I think my aura is huge, and people attest to it. [Cheeky laughs]”
DO PEOPLE SEE YOUR PERSONALITY IN YOUR STYLE?
“I hope so. I hope people see that I genuinely don’t care about a lot of things. I put more effort into my scents. I could wear a fit with a net worth of 100 cedis but spend 1k on perfume. So when you think about it, the fit is 1100 cedis. It’s comfort I value the most.”
This makes sense, and good perfume is very expensive. It became very easy to gather that Frankie is a carefree individual; it was nice to see her lit up about something relatively superficial like perfume
“Everybody should buy perfume It’s a big boy purchase” she concludes
ON THE UPCOMING USTUN AWARDS
“Oh, Elite FC will probably sweep. They’re the league champs right now. I don’t think there’s anything that can stop them besides themselves I hope to win too Every USTUN I win something. I’ve never been nominated and gone empty-handed I really want midfielder of the year I get other stuff, but that’s what I want. In the midfield department, I think I’m on a roll right now. I have goals and I have assists so like…”
ON OTHER PEOPLE WHO WANT TO JOIN THE WOMEN’S LEAGUE
“It’s fun, but they should be serious I think there should be some level of seriousness It is a competitive league If you’re coming to play for fun, then we’ll play volta or something without referees But it’s a whole league. It’s fun, it’s not scary. It’s quite fun but we also have to understand that it’s competitive.”
WHAT DO YOU NOT GET TO BRAG ABOUT THAT YOU FEEL IS WORTH BRAGGING ABOUT?
“I should believe that I’m one of the most nominated people in Ustun [cheeky laugh] ” Nobody fact-check her, please. Let her have her moment. She adds, “I’m musically inclined, I can play sports, I’m ambidextrous. I can cut hair. [This is true, she’s cut my hair multiple times.] I’m smart, people just don’t know because… the d*** is too long.”
AND ON THAT CRASS NOTE, WE ENDED THE INTERVIEW
M E N , T A P E Y O U R
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In today's world, the way men talk about women and their reactions when women criticize them reveals deeply ingrained attitudes and norms. It's as if there’s an unspoken rulebook that dictates that women shouldn't or should lack the boldness to speak out. This dynamic is particularly evident for those of us living on this hill, where the audacity of some men often meets the bold defiance of women willing to stand their ground These everyday encounters vividly depict power, expectation, and bravery. In this article, I will delve deeply into the contrasting ways men talk about women and their reactions when criticized, focusing on the dynamics within our hilltop community. By exploring the experiences of women who have bravely spoken out about their treatment by men some positive but predominantly negative I aim to shed light on these pervasive issues and their broader implications.
In the corridors and common areas of Ashesi, certain groups of men have garnered a reputation for their disparaging remarks about women. The issue of "kissing and telling" is a harrowing one.
"Grow up, boys! Stop kissing and telling!!" - anonymous.
The exasperation in these words is palpable, echoing the frustrations of many women who feel belittled and disrespected. Women who enter into relationships or intimate encounters often do so with the understanding that these moments are private and consensual. They trust that their partners will respect this agreement and maintain the confidentiality of their shared experiences.
However, when men betray this trust by boasting about these encounters to their friends, it leaves women feeling exposed, “humiliated”, and violated. For many women, the revelation of intimate details shared in confidence can lead to a profound sense of betrayal and vulnerability.
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The act of "kissing and telling" is not just a harmless boast but a breach of trust that can have significant emotional repercussions. Imagine if your grades were exposed by an FI without your consent. That’s the same feeling because women subjected to this behavior often feel as though their agency and autonomy have been stripped away. They are reduced to mere subjects of gossip and ridicule, their worth diminished to a few salacious details exchanged among peers.
Moreover, an anonymous comment like, "Ashesi girls with wrinkled thighs and black bleached asses, please stop wearing those small jeans around. I feel sick when I see them," are cruel and insensitive remarks that dehumanize and shame women for their appearance. It is an affront to the dignity of women who have every right to dress as they please without seeking permission or approval from anyone, least of all men who feel entitled to judge them. Women do not need permission from men to show their skin. Their choices in how they present themselves are personal. For a man to make such a comment shows how little his mind is and lacks respect for individual freedom. Such remarks are not just an attack on appearance but an attempt to control and demean. For instance, an anonymous woman recounted an experience where a man said, "I can see your nipples in that" (proceeds to directly stare at my chest area). This comment was not only intrusive but also objectifying, reducing her to a mere body part rather than acknowledging her as a whole person. It made her feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, questioning her choice of clothing and her suitable dress. This same anonymous woman was once again told, "You're dressed as a South African prostitute," a remark loaded with racial and gendered stereotypes. This statement was not just an insult to her appearance but also an attempt to shame her based on deeply ingrained prejudices and misconceptions about South African women. Additionally, one anonymous woman revealed, "When you walk past some boys, they just say, 'see hips' or 'see body,'" highlighting how everyday encounters often involve unsolicited comments that reduce women to their physical attributes. M E N , T A P E
M E N , T A P E Y O U R
M O U T H S P L E A S E
Another anonymous woman shared, "I want to eat you, and what else can you offer aside sex," a vulgar comment that starkly exemplifies how some men view women as nothing more than objects for their sexual gratification. This statement disregards a woman's intelligence, personality, and worth as a human being, reducing her to a mere vessel for male desire When women hear such comments, it strikes at their core It reduces their sense of self-worth and fosters an environment of fear and self-consciousness. Instead of feeling free to express themselves, women are made to feel that their bodies are public property subject to unsolicited opinions and judgments. This not only affects their confidence but also perpetuates a toxic culture where women are valued primarily for their looks rather than their character or achievements.
These comments reveal a disturbing pattern: men feel justified in their harsh judgments and dismissive attitudes toward women. However, the tide turns sharply when women speak out against this behavior. Men who freely criticize women suddenly feel attacked and defensive when the roles are reversed. The irony is almost palpable those who dish out criticism cannot handle the same when it is directed at them. This reaction exposes a profound hypocrisy. The same men who eagerly degrade women with their words crumble under the weight of scrutiny and accountability, revealing a childish inconsistency. When women on the hill raise their voices, the response from men frequently shifts to one of victimhood. Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue or self-reflection, the conversation is often redirected to how the criticism makes them feel unjustly targeted. This diversion tactic sidesteps the core issue the need for respect and equality in how we communicate and interact. It is a classic deflection, a way to avoid facing the uncomfortable truth about their behavior and the harm it causes.
It is often said that women are acting "emotional" when they respond, whilst the responses from women are not just reactions to isolated incidents; they are cries for acknowledgment and change. The pain and frustration expressed in their words reflect a broader societal problem that extends beyond the confines of our hill. Women want to be seen and heard as equals, not as subjects of ridicule or judgment. Their voices demand a fundamental shift in how we perceive and interact with each other, urging us to dismantle the double standards and build a culture of mutual respect. On this hill and beyond, it is imperative that we all men and women alike mature, listen, and commit to conversations that elevate and empower rather than belittle and demean. It is time to rise above pettiness and embrace the true essence of humanity.
Written by Bernice Arthur