By Bernice Arthur
#STOPGALAMSEYNOW
Contributors:
Joke
By Tani, Reuben
By Kimberly Taj Mashanga
Written and edited by: Nyameye Akumia
Tanitoluwa Adebayo, Eureka Cooper-Aggrey
By Nana
THEINK MAGAZINE
Editors-in-Chief
Tanitoluwa Olamiji Adebayo Nyameye ‘Kiki’ Akumia
Writers
Bernice Arthur, Fouvle Nkrumah, Afua Saawah
Othcere-Mensah, Joshua Chiefo-Ejiofobiri, Kimberly Taj Mashanga, Bartels Ataanga Atindana, M Salma Osman
Gomda,
Eureka Cooper-Aggrey, Yenma, Manuela Ama Ntow, Reuben Kwadwo Asare Badu, Esinam Amegah
Editors
Janet Boye, Deborah Benning
Graphic Designers
Senam Dzomeku, Nana Kwaku Affum Ntow, Photographers
Ronelle Cudjoe, Lois Vanessa Adams, Akwasi Adubofuor Kwakyi
Social Media
Royal Gloria Otieno, Ama Adubea Adu-Wilson
OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Praprara Owodeha-Ashaka
Arielle
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Hello!
For those of us who are new here, my name is Tanitoluwa, although I mostly go by Tani. Welcome to Issue #4 of The Ink It’s a little late I apologize for that I kinda lost track of time Ashesi does that to you. From the elections to Ubora, last semester was pretty eventful. In here, we have some though provoking pieces, some words of advice, some accolades to the best dressed among us, and some creative pieces I hope you enjoy it and that you have a wonderful semester ahead!
Tanitoluwa Adebayo
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Hi, there!
I feel put on the spot, haha. Well, I’m Kiki and I’d also love to welcome you to the fourth issue of The Ink Honestly, it’s a miracle that we keep churning these out and I think it speaks volumes about the dedication to creating a space for creativity and fun to thrive and be documented.
I hope you read this from cover to cover! It takes a lot of work going from idea to finished product and we can’t wait for you to see what our contributors have in store for you.
I want to leave you with this: The Ink isn’t some exclusive far off organization. We’re students just like you and we’d love to hear from you If you want to be featured in The Ink, it really takes less than you’d think ;)
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Weallhad aplan
What’s the beauty in the relentless cycle of dreams and struggles? Bernice Arthur captures it all—raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable at Ashesi.
Oh, my days? remember walking into Ashesi with a meticulously crafted plan, as if you had it all figured out? The straight A's, leadership positions in every club, and of course, that coveted Magna Cum Laude at graduation. Oh, sweet summer child. We all had a plan.
Now, let's talk about that first day of Class – you know, the one There you were, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, showing up three hours early because "excellence is a habit," right? Your backpack was packed with an iPad, laptop, notepad, color-coded pens, and enough determination to move mountains. You chose that front-row seat like it was a throne, ready to conquer the academic world Little did you know That you were going to meet FDE sooner rather than later.
Oh, FDE. What started as a promising adventure quickly became a pit of existential doubt "Did I make the right decision coming here?" you wondered.
By Bernice Arthur By Bernice Arthur By Bernice Arthur
But here's the kicker: FDE was just the appetizer. The main course was yet to come, served with a generous side of sleepless nights and a garnish of existential crisis
You discovered the special kind of torture, the dreaded Canvas grade updates. You'd refresh your page, heart pounding, only to see your grades playing an intense game of limbo: how low can they go? Then, your relationship with CAMU becomes more complicated than your relationship status
This wasn't what you signed up for. Nights turned into early mornings as you stayed up till 2 or 3 a m , determined to cover every single topic
Yet somehow, a lecturer's red pen still found a way to cut through your confidence. And here comes the shift. You pretend to stop caring. "You know what, I just want to graduate," you tell yourself. But here's where it gets interesting: the moment you finally stop treating every assignment like it's your last stand at academic glory,
Photography by Francois Photography by Francois Photography by Francois Mercer Mercer Mercer
and you embrace the chaos and accept that perfection is a myth, that's when things start falling into place.
Grades that once mocked you on Canvas begin to stabilize.
CAMU, the only app that can make and unmake you begin showing numbers that finally brings a smile to your face. Then the dream of Magna Cum Laude starts to feel possible, and you say to yourself that I'd work hard the following semester.
But, oh, how the cycles repeat
A new semester rolls in, for a while, you're unstoppable, chasing that Magna Cum Laude like a sprinter on a mission. Then mid-semester hits, and suddenly you're asking your friends, "Chale, what's the CGPA for a Cum Laude?" That's when you know the school is messing with your head By the end of the final exams, you're no longer chasing A's
You say a B or a C+? That'll do.
It's not just the courses; it's the mental gymnastics
Ashesi doesn't just challenge your intellect It breaks you down, rebuilds you, and then breaks you down again. The lectures are more than academic; they're battles of will. Some days, you leave Class feeling invincible, questioning your major, goals, and sense of self-worth at least twice a week
And if you're academically ambitious? Oof, it's a quiet, relentless battle.
Everyone's fighting their war, silently questioning, "Does my plan still hold?" And yet, somehow, you press on because giving up isn't an option
But here's the thing: some of us fail courses, yet we rise again. To those who keep going despite the setbacks, who find hope even in the darkest moments you're the real MVPs. We're all doing our best, and that's something to be proud of.
So, dear Class of '28,
We all had a plan, but here we are.
“
Anewsemesterrolls in,forawhile,you're unstoppable,chasing thatMagnaCumLaude likeasprinterona mission.Thenmidsemesterhits,and suddenlyyou'reasking yourfriends,"Chale, what'stheCGPA requirementforaCum Laude?"
@kiki
THELANDTHAT DRINKSONLYYOUNG
BLOOD
October
2024
Written and edited by:
Nyameye Akumia
Contributors:
Tanitoluwa Adebayo
Eureka Cooper-Aggrey
(Jumoke Verissimo)
These haunting lyrics are the last known words of Okechukwu Obi-Enadhuze, who etched the excerpt into history moments before his death amidst the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. His life was one of many who were snuffed out and eliminated by a system that feeds on the bodies of the poor and the disenfranchised. Poetic, but nonetheless relevant, his death is a reminder of the ways in which people in power have a history of ignoring the cries of the people they are supposed to serve in the greedy pursuit of excessive profit.
At time of writing, it has been over three weeks since the three-day anti-galamsey protests that saw hundreds, if not thousands, of Ghanaians march for hours – creating traffic to demand that some actions are taken in an effort to stop illegal mining. People from all over the country traveled to Accra, realizing the severity of the issue. The turnout
suggests two things: Ghanaians are growing more conscious and the problem is growing faster than we could have been prepared for. October 5th has been gone for some time now, but the fight is far from over. The questions we need to ask ourselves now are “Were the protests successful?”, “What does success look like?”, “What next?”.
Social change is a slow but steady push and pull between the needs of the people and the needs of those with the power to actually do anything about it. This ebb and flow is accelerated by protests Protests begin like distant waves in the ocean, far from the eyes and ears of the general public and media. As a young adult, the earliest I remember hearing about galamsey was in 2016, when Nana AkufoAddo promised the people of Obuasi that he would regularize and streamline mining operations in the Ashanti region in an effort to
How could we not have known that our land drinks only young blood
We ask for bread; it gives us stone; we ask to live it takes our breath
We stand up tall; it shoots our legs; we sit wearily; it shoots us down Don’t we know it already, don’t we? To age in this land, is to arrive in a grave?
stimulate the economy and create jobs. Back then, he would make sure to emphasize his preference for referring to galamsey as “small-scale mining”, which he believed could be a net positive for the Obuasi residents. Eight years later and the problem has only been exacerbated by destructive mining practices and poor regulation on the companies involved.
Once in a blue moon, a single demonstration is enough to get politicians riled up enough to speak up on a certain issue. More often than not, it takes persistent action, persistent disruption, persistent commitment to spreading awareness and generating discourse until avoiding the topic in question becomes practically impossible Social change is a slow but steady push and pull, and if we want to accelerate it we need to be ready to do the emotionally and physically taxing work of _______. After October 5th, this persistence is in danger.
Protests are loud; they draw attention to a cause; they put pressure on people in power; above all, however, Protests are a fight for compromise. Rarely does a protest sway the state of a nation completely in the opposite direction. That being said, what happens when we don’t even get a compromise? In the days after the protest, statements addressing the crisis of the country have only dwindled in frequency while Ghanaians return to their usual apathy towards political affairs. Without a compromise, things will continue to go on as usual. To fully understand the problem with things proceeding as usual, we need to know the full scope of the problem
Galamsey is a colloquial term that refers interchangeably to small-scale mining and illegal mining. Its usage rises and falls in popularity as and when the issue and its effects provoke the political zeitgeist of the Ghanaian people. It was no shock that
THE FULL SCOPE OF THE ISSUE
“You
carry machines go towns You spoil water bodies Ghanaians come say you no do am well, you come dey cry!”
- Protesters
alarm bells went ringing when the Ghana Water Company Limited released a statement of their inability to provide water to persons living in the Cape Coast and its environs. The corporation attributed its inability to the effect of Galamsey, leading to high levels of water turbidity. As of September 2024, 60% of Ghana's water bodies have been polluted by galamsey Our water bodies are now laced with heavy metals and poisonous chemicals. With the amount of work that it takes to transform water that polluted to drinkable (or even usable) water, it is estimated that by 2030 it would be more cost-effective to import water than to use local natural resources
The effects are very widespread as galamsey also has had a negative impact on Ghana’s cocoa production (one of our largest exports). In 2024, we’ve reached a record low of 680,000 – 700,000 metric tonnes, which does not augur well for our economy and demonstrates the potential threat of galamsey to food security.
On September 21, 2024, the Democracy Hub group launched a protest, Stop Galamsey Now, aimed at pressuring the government of Ghana to enforce measures to stop galamsey This protest was surprisingly met with much hostility. The Ghana Police Service issued an injunction against the protests mere hours before its due date. At the protest, there was an unusually high-security presence At the end of the day, 53 persons were arrested, including a 64-year-old woman, her 10year-old granddaughter and some who claim to have just been passersby.
The reaction shows the evolution of the issue from just an environmental one to a humanitarian one as well
WHAT NEXT?
ereotypes, struggles, and silent man's experience.
can't be too friendly or can't laugh too much or ud; can't be quiet or else 't show independence or ing deemed unattractive.
When I discovered this, I thought it couldn t be all men. Freud called it psychic impotence, a complex in men who see women as saintly Madonnas or debased whores.
But why am I always in the latter category?
Sometimes I feel I belong in the former, but circumstances push me to the latter. Is it my high libido?
When they see how sexual I can be, they see me as an object of desire, not someone to be desired for. Instead of seeing me as the latter, they always see me as the former.
Why did I have to be a woman, I ask myself at times. Why can't I also show my desires? Why must I pretend to have pure thoughts when sometimes I feel like ravishing someone? Why do I have to care about my body count, my headcount, my kiss count?
g g p ty? Prepare to be judged for "letting loose" or "not being serious enough " It's like society's got a microscope on every move, ready to slap a label on you the moment you step out of their narrow, suffocating box of acceptability.
Women are their own enemies, to be honest. Enemies to themselves, enemies to other women. From a young age, we are taught how to walk, sit, laugh, eat, talk all for what?
To please a gender that hates us?
That categorizes us not by our beautiful, unique personalities but by how sexual we are in nature.
So what if I want to show that cleavage or wear that dress? Or kiss 10 guys and have sex with 15 guys? Why should that matter?
The Battle of the Bra
Let's not even start with the bras. Oh, the bras. Men's subtle way of torturing women. From the stiff rods underneath, To the straps that leave dreaded marks. There are alternatives, There truly are. I am not saying I hate bras, No, no Bras make dresses look nice, Better even What I am saying is I can't n wear a bra. It would be interpreted as me sirening all the men to look at my full breasts as I walk. The issue is the fact that I can't not wear a bra. People would attribute it to the largeness of my bosom. But why should I suffer because I have been graced with wonderful breasts?
The issue of an ideal shape is too trying If you have huge assets, there are always ogling men hoping to dance on them, Step on them, Suck on them, Lick them, Bounce on them, Pound on them, Amongst other atrocities.
If you are fortunately unfortunate and have little assets, you are discarded, Called too slim, Bony, Skeleton, And all manner of names because you have a high metabolism that, by the way, you were born with. Your worth is questioned, Your femininity doubted, As if the size of your chest and bottom determines the value of your heart. We are forced to conform, To wear the bras, To endure the pain, All for the sake of fitting into a mold that was never made for us. But why should our comfort be sacrificed for their gaze? Why should our bodies be a battleground for their desires?
We are forced to conform to all these standards, Called makeshift "maintenance." Hair, Makeup, Dresses, Amongst others. As a woman, I love these, I really do, And I do all this maintenance for me. But what if this was an idea placed in our heads by the very people who despise us, For their desires? What if our beauty rituals are a silent submission, A way to keep us in line, To shape us into their vision of perfection, While erasing our own? It’s time we
reclaim our bodies, Our choices, And wear our beauty for ourselves, Not as a reflection of their fantasies, But as a celebration of our own.
Don't wear your heart on your sleeve. What is that about? Why can't I feel all my emotions? Why is it that when a woman doesn't like something and talks about it, it's called a fit, But when a man does the same, He's seen as strong, assertive, a leader? Why are we told to hold back, To smile through the pain, To keep our voices down? Why should we swallow our truths, Just to keep the peace? Our emotions are valid, Our voices powerful, And it's time the world hears us roar, Without apology, without shame.
Also, can we talk about how men love to pin us against each other? When a man cheats, his wife and the mistress 8 out of 10 times end up fighting. Who gets to walk away? The man.
They instigate us against each other, With their lies, Their manipulations, Their broken promises. They set us up as rivals, When we should be allies, Supporting one another, Instead of tearing each other down Why should we fight for someone who doesn't respect us? Why should we let them control our narratives, Our relationships, Our worth? We need to see through their games, Stand together, And refuse to be pitted against one another. Because united, we are unstoppable, And they can no longer play us for fools.
You know a controversial belief I have? Why don't we get rid of all of them? Yes, all of them! We don't need them, come to think of it. Is it for sex we need them? Then we would get better dildos. For reproduction? Then why don't we cage them so they give off their fruit, Then we can start society anew.
I once heard an interesting concept: That a man should start from jail and slowly build himself up to enter society. Because explain to me why I can't wear a bikini and take a stroll at 1 am. Why do I have to watch my back as I walk, Afraid of a lurking predator? Yes, I would choose the bear, Over Tover.
This seems like I hate men, but I don't really. I just believe some not all Don't deserve the privileges they receive.
I am not a resentful person wanting to eliminate them all, Because I notice the fault in my gender too. From the way we compete with each other, To the way we judge and shame Women can be cruel, to themselves and each other But that doesn't absolve men of their part in this cycle of pain and fear. We all need to do better, To be better. Because this world is big enough for all of us, If only we could learn to live and let live.
Why can't they refrain from lying to that beautiful young girl, destroying her mental health before she even becomes a woman, all for some sick concept of fun? Why can't they stop betting on us as though we are objects they own? Why can't they avoid judging our pasts the same way we try not to judge theirs? Why can't we be amicable? Why can't they stop ogling at us and our bodies, objectifying us? Why can't we be fundamentally equal?
I am not saying chivalry and all its concepts should be thrown away. No! I am talking about fundamental respect, where every person is valued for who they are, not for their appearance or past. It's about treating each other with kindness and dignity, recognizing that we all have our struggles and stories.
True equality means acknowledging our shared humanity and striving to create a world where everyone can feel safe, appreciated, and respected. This isn't about diminishing the good in traditions like chivalry, but about ensuring they coexist with genuine respect and equality for all.
But what am I even saying here? I'm just a young adult, barely stumbling into adulthood myself. Oh, I guess fairness and respect are just too much to ask for, right? I mean, who needs basic human decency? Clearly, it's all just a big joke. But hey, I'm just here stumbling along, hoping maybe, just maybe, we could live in a world where treating each other with a bit of dignity isn't seen as a revolutionary idea I will leave you my dear reader, aficionado pondering over one little question: "Why must we persist in a world that insists on boxing us into limiting stereotypes?"
Yours Truly, Nana
I Wonder
"The
Forgotten Guardians of the Earth"
By Thoughts of Wello
I wonder how the trees, planted when politicians are advocating for reforestation or the fight against climate change, are doing. It is a shame if they mistook the applause, and the flashing of the cameras as credit for being successfully joined to the ground. It was not about them. It was never about how much Carbon dioxide they could remove from the air. The trees were not special, any type of young seedling would have sufficed. In fact, they should be thankful they were chosen. However, if the information went over their heads, somebody should tell them it was all for show. The entire ceremony, the unforgettable highlight of their lives, was an act to demonstrate that the government of the day was forward thinking, and cared about having a greener earth. They don’t.
Somebody should tell them it’s not their fault. Somebody should tell them the cameras have enough film, the government officials enough energy to pay a visit. The only thing that changed is the trees are no longer the priority. And why should they keep documenting that the trees are doing what they are supposed to do? Isn’t it true that once was enough?
However, I am proud of the trees. I hope they understand how important their existence is, how their breath transcends human comprehension and how it is a testament to our survival. I am proud they stayed true to their identity and continue to shoot for the stars while still being grounded.
Yet, I worry the trees have sleepless nights. I worry they ponder why it’s five, or ten years later and no one has ever visited to see how tall they have become or congratulate them on how deep their roots have gone. I worry they think there is something wrong with them: “maybe they don’t visit because we shade our leaves in autumn, and can’t perform our task adequately?”.
WITHIN THE DURATION OF A PLAY
Step Behind the Curtain and Witness the Art of Control
Author: Fouvle
ACT II: A FALSE SETUP
the building of one’s stage.
the altar at which the audience pays reverence.
they cross their chest and kneel at a hand’s command
the forming of a haunted choir
and their creator is the priest within this catholic setting; they are the ones ordained and conceived to touch the minds of the haunted audience
the priest leads the unknown chanting of the language only known to those allowed to have such communication
the allowance of such conversation only brings up an understanding in the minds of very few people, and this person of few faith are known for their roles.
they help the creator in the staging of the play and the priming of the audience.
The Hidden Idol
By: Arielle
A MOMENT OF INTIMACY AND CONNECTION IS CHERISHED, DESPITE THE NARRATOR’S CONFLICTING FEELINGS AND THE FLEETING NATURE OF THE ENCOUNTER
you kneel before me as i sit on the edge of your bed the voices in my head go silent as you bury your face in my lap i could hold you like this forever your head is bowed as though i’m something holy holy is the furthest thing from what just happened but in that moment, it’s okay
this brief moment of openness and vulnerability, i’d cherish for as long as i can cause in a minute it’s gone, sides are switched wrapped tight in your arms, i simply cannot complain please hold me a little longer your fingers dance with my braids their intimacy birthing ours your lips linger on my forehead they don’t seem to want to let go neither do you
maybe next time i’d let the alarm ring so i don’t have to lose a part of us it’s secondary, everything is secondary next to you
“i feel like you like me but you haven’t realised it yet”
i don’t like you i’m not allowed to like you
Vulnerability looks a lot like survival
FAVORITE LOOKS FROM
UBORA 2024
By Kimberly Taj Mashanga
Photography by By Kimberly Taj Mashanga
Serving pure red-carpet royalty!
The bold red, stunning lace bodice, and sleek satin skirt scream elegance. Simple, classy, and ohso-timeless—she’s blooming, and we’re obsessed!
Ubora 2024 was a celebration of creativity, culture, and individuality, with fashion taking center stage as attendees embraced the event’s theme: Timeless Bloom. This year’s showcase beautifully blended the elegance of the past with the vibrancy of the present, delivering styles that felt both rooted and revolutionary. From bold floral prints to a more understated interpretation of the theme the attendees did not disappoint when it came to expressing themselves. Here is a list of our favorite looks from the night-not ranked!
Florals for the win! This bold roseprinted suit is giving us major main-character energy. With effortless confidence and clean styling, it’s another standout moment from someone who always lands on our list!
"This look is clean, crisp, and effortlessly cool! The cropped white double-breasted top paired with sleek black trousers is a minimalist dream. The loafers exude classic sophistication, while the pearl necklace adds a modern twist. Isn't she the coolest!
"This look is serving ultimate goddess vibes! The soft pink gown creates an effortlessly elegant silhouette, while the flower accents in the hair add a dreamy, fairy-tale charm-a play on the theme. And those tiny sunnies? A playful addition to the look. Overall a cute and individualist look.
This outfit is absolutely stunning! The deep purple gown, adorned with intricate patterns and shimmering embellishments, exudes elegance and grace. The fitted design highlights her figure beautifully, and her beautiful smile ties it all together.
Serving fairy-tale realness in layers of ruffled pink! This look is bold, vibrant, and effortlessly chic—paired with that killer smile, it's an absolute vibe.
So not only did this pretty last serenade us with her flawless vocals so also blessed our eyes with this gorgeous ensemble. The bow detail tying her dress to her shoes, the elegant gloves—simply timeless!"
This outfit is a perfect mix of elegance and tradition! The flowing white attire, complemented by the bold red beads, gives off a regal and sophisticated vibe. The staff adds a touch of cultural pride making it a statement look!
THE SEASONS’ BEST DRESSED
people’s choice for best dressed: Doreen
Doreen wore a black and white gown with ruffles. When asked about her inspiration she alluded to the fact that white and black are timeless colors and thus that was her interpretation of the theme. Which is actually really cool!
So congratulations to Doreen and Etornam for the win!
Kwadwo + Maame
Sean + Eureka
Kirsty & Appiedu, we can all see it you people should hurry up ah.
Emmanuel + Amanda Mizzy + Shifa
Which two people would make the cutest couple but aren’t together?
NKOD + Micah��
KIKI AND THIS ONE 27
GIRL. She has blonde hair and an accent. Their aesthetics are so similar and they sound like they think similarly
Helena, I had a vision that we could be a wonderful couple. Charles you sit by her in Global Black class , can you put in words for me adey beg. Afterwards, you can change your seat bro.
Charlton and Gretta. Charlton do the needful this valentine’s
Wait... they aren’t together??
Caleb + Frances
Gilbert + Sedem
Never mind the height difference I think Tracey and Ethan would make such a cute couple‼
ByBartels
Theysayyoucan’tchooseyourfamily,butF.R.I.E.N.D.Sshowedmethatyou canbuildone withpeoplewhobringyoupizzaduringabreakdownor mockyourbaddecisionswithlove.ForaslongasIcanremember,the sitcomF.R.I.E.N.D.Shasalwaysbeenmyfavourite.Ihavewatcheditso manytimesthattheyhavepracticallyshapedthewayIviewfriendshipsin mylife.Friendshavetobeunderstandingandemotionallyavailablewhen youarenotandalsomakinglifeeasierbutonspecialoccasions particularlydifficultforyou.
Lifeinthe“RealignedYear”wasdifferent.Itwaswild.Wehadtoleanon someonesoastomakeitthroughtheentiresemester.Having58ams meantthatIcouldn’taffordtosleepaslateasmyassignmentcompletion wouldhavepermitted,Ijusthadtodefythisruleofthumbandgetdone whatneededtobedoneafterall“sleepisfortheweak”(famouslast words).ThereIwassleepinginlateat1:00amhopingthatIwould managetowakeupjustintimetomakeitformyclass.Iknewitwas impossibletodobuttookthechanceknowingthatIwouldhaveapaton thebackfromYoofioracallfromMichael.Luckily,Imissed0classesand securedthoseattendancepointsunlessCAMUsaysotherwise.Itwashard evenwithmysupportsystem,andIwonderedwhatitwouldbeliketonot havethatatsuchadifficulttimeatAshesi.
Lifeinmyfirstyearwasterrible,IalwaysfeltlikeIdidn’tbelongandwould nevergetfriendsthatgotmethewaymyhighschoolfriendsdid.This mademeshutmyselfuptomakingtruefriendsandbuildinggenuine relationshipsbutastimepassed.Irealisedcomparingyournewfriendsto oldonesisn’tthewaytogo.Youareverydifferentandsoiseveryoneelse sogivethemtimeandspacetowarmuptoyouandyouwillbegladyou allowedthosewonderfulpeoplein.Withsomuchanxietyandexhaustion, weareoftencompelledtowantourownspacewherewecanexpress ourselvesfullybutthatinactualfactthesafespaceyouneedisfriends thatgetyouandareeverreadytolistentohelpyoumakegoodlife-long decisions.
problemstoobutarethereforyouwhenyouneedthem.Andthisisthetruesignofgreat friendship.
Friendscanbealotfromthemockingtonamecallingandfinallytothenicknaming,it’sallfunwe shouldnottakelifethatseriously.Imean“itisnotthatdeep”weThisisthefinalstageofourselves forsomeofuswherewewillbesurroundedwithsomanypeoplefromverydiversebackgrounds andweshouldnotmissthechancetogettoknowsomeonegreattoday.
Aswebeginanewyear,Ientreatusalltoputourselvesoutthereandbethebestversionofour trueselves.Butwemustremembertoloveourselvesandknowwhatweareworth.Justlikeany relationship,knowingwhatweareworthallowsustosetrealisticgoalsforourfriendshipsrather thanbecomingvictimsofconstantgaslightinganddeceitbyfriends Likeeverysocialcontract,we shouldsetboundariesthatcanallowourfriendshipstowithstandthepressuresofmodernsociety andinteractions.
PS:JustliketheganginF.R.I.E.N.D.S,weallneedasupportsystemthatseesusthroughthehighs andlows.Let’scherishthepeoplewhomakelifefun,bearable,andmeaningful
Battleof theCafeterias
By Bartels
Howfarcanyougotoretainyourcustomers?This semesterhasbeengreat.Itstartedwithahikeinfood pricesattheschool’scafeterias.Ononefaithfulday, SLEwrote“YourbelovedAkonorhasdecidedtoraise thepriceoftheirportionstoGHC30startingMonday”.I founditparticularlyannoyingforthemtocharge higherpricesforthesamequalityandquantityoffood butwhatotheroptiondidIhave?Munchies?Atleast Akonorforetoldusbeforethehike,Iwasmetwiththe pricechangeontheirboardwhenIwenttogetmy “usual”.Itwaspainfultogothroughschoolknowing thatyoudidn’thaveachoicebuttoeatatAkonorin themorninganddineatMunchieslaterintheevening. Everythingwassetinstone,youeitheratefromthem ororderedfoodoffcampuswhilepayingfordelivery feesaswell.Itwassuchaninconveniencetothesoft lifeIwantedtolive Loandbehold,SLEwascookingsomethingbetter They onceagainsentanemailthatmadethecommunity awareofthenewestcafeteriatostartoperationon campus.ImustsaythatIwasn’treallyexpectingmuch fromthem TheymightjustbeasnonchalantasBig Benorhaveoperationalhoursthatwouldnotfitthe scheduleoftheever-busyAshesistudentlikethe formerAkonor.Intheemail,theystatedthatthenew cafeteriawascalledHallmarkandwasgoingtohave3 freesamplingdaystogetfeedbackfromstudents.AsI saidearlier,theirhoursdidnotmeetmineandIwas onlyabletotastethefoodonthelastdayandguess whatIhad Afreshlybakedpie HowwasItogive solidfeedbackonthepiesmallerthanmyfist?I enjoyeditjustlikethefreefoodIateduringacademic breakandmovedonwithnobigexpectations.My friendswerereallyravingabouthowgreattheirfood tastedandhowfarofftheywerefromourfamous AkonorandMunchies Istillhadverylittlefaithinwhat theycoulddobutguessIshouldhaveknownfromthe lengthofthequeuethattheywereuptosomething I knewtheywerecookingbutdidn’texpectthesteam fromtheirpottobethathot TheygaveAkonorand Munchiesthescareoftheirlives.
Thefirstdaytheystartedservingrealportionsthequeue wasunimaginable.Iwasshocked.Peoplewholivedoff campusandatefromHi5,YummyYumandthereststarted joininginthequeuestoeatfoodfromHallmark Thiswas exciting.Thefoodwasgreatandallbutthehypewasjust toomuch.SomuchsothatAkonorwascopyingeverything theydid.Akonorstartedservingjuicesandoperated24/7. Pastrieswerealsoavailableandtheytreatedcustomers betterthanpreviously Theirmenuimprovedandhadmore varietythanNetflixshows Iwasutterlypleasedwiththis newdevelopment Thequalityofthefoodimproved,and theirpreviouslyunnegotiablepriceshadreduced.Wowww. Ijustcouldn’tbelieveitwasallhappening.Ienjoyedtheir saucesandeggstewandhopetheykeepupwithit.The shockformewaswhentheyhandedoutfreepineapple juicespricedatGHC10toasmanypeopleastherewere whoboughtfoodfromthem
Akonorwasn’ttheonlycafeteriagreatlyaffectedbythe presenceofthe“third”.Munchiesbarelyhadpeopleeating attheirplaceandhadmanyfailedattemptsatdeep-fried crispychickennuggets Thedesiretobeonthesamelevel asHallmarkreallyputastrainonthemastheyincreased theirservingsandincludedmoreitemsintheirmenubut eventhatcouldnotsavethemfromHallmark’simmense pressure.Munchiesfinallyhadaplantohaveadelivery systemthatcouldprovidecomforttotheirclientsand maybewinthembackIwillallowyoutobethejudgeof that
Idon’tknowwhatHallmarkisdoingrightbutallIknowis thattogetthebestfromanyofusallweneedistheright levelofcompetition.Whenyouarescaredthatagirlora guywillstealyourmanorwoman,youknowthatisacall toupyourgame(justasidenotetoallthegirliesandthe guys)
Itwasexcitingtoseetheintensecompetitionamong vendorsandhopeyouenjoyedthisaswell.Wasthere anythinglikethiswhenCasabellajoinedthelonglistofoffcampusdininglocations?Iftherewas,wewouldbegladto hearfromyou Asalways,wearetheINKandweare alwayswatching.Wewatchanddon’tjudge
THERUINATIONOFATAPESTRY
THECHILDRENAREUNCURIOUS THECHILDRENAREDYINGANDCANNOTTHINK THE CHILDREN CANNOT READ OR WRITE, THEIR SKILL IS TO POSSESS THE KNOWLEDGE TO PUSHBUTTONS”
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“YOUAREAWARETHATYOUAREFARTOOEDUCATEDTOBEJUSTANARTIST.YOUSHOULD GO INTO THE TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD. I AM SURE AS BRILLIANT AS YOU ARE YOU COULD INVENTSOMETHING”
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THERUINATIONOFATAPESTRY
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THECREATIONOFTHINGS-SOMETHINGTHATHASBEENWITHINTHEBLOODOFMYFAMILYFOR GENERATIONS-LONGERTHANTHEFORMALNAMESANDGROUPINGSPASSEDUNTOTHEM. THEIR CREATIONS IS WHAT MY COUSIN-BROTHER IS AFRAID WILL MAKE US, MAKE THE OTHER FAMILIESLIKEUSGOEXTINCTORBECOMEOBSOLETETOTHEPOINTOFBEINGLESSTHANHUMAN
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I LIKE THE OTHERS IN MY SKILL LEVEL, NOW WEAR THE EYE COLOUR OF A PAST PERSON NAMED MARY-SHEWASATEACHEROFATIMEONLYREMEMBEREDTOBEUSEDASAWEAPON IAMTOBETRAINEDTOBEANEWTYPEOFTEACHERFORTHIS.
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TalkingMusic withBeaticide StudentProducer
By Tani,Reuben
PhotographybyRonelle...
Kelvin, or Beaticide, discusses music production, identity, and ambition. The interview explores his journey, creative process, and the importance of social capital.
Tani: So, who are you?
Kelvin: That's a crazy question. My name is Kelvin. Let me see. I'm Ghanian from the Volta region, Ewe Both my parents are Ghanaian, and I'm doing computer science here at Ashesi Most people also know me as a music producer under the alias beaticide. This past year, though, I’ve actually not made any music, primarily due to academic obligations and priorities
Yeah, so, um, some things I enjoy: Philosophy, music, art, travel, cuisine. I also enjoy working out a lot But also, this semester has been very challenging, especially at the end, at the gym, keeping up my consistency.
Tani: Yeah, bro, same, man. I haven't gone for like two weeks And I wanted to go this morning, but I had an interview today Which is a stupid excuse,
butyeah…IguessI'llstartwiththis.Howdidyou comeupwiththenamebeaticide?Whereisthat from?Iguessbeats?Doyoulikechasebeats awayorsomething,like‘pesticide’?
Kelvin:So,Istartedproducingin2018backin Temainternationalschool(TIS).Imetaguy calledCyrilQuansah,analumnusofthisschool, actually.Imethimonedaymakingbeatsand thenmagically,IhadFLStudiothenextday.I don'tevenrememberhow,butIjustknowIgotit upandstartedmakingbeatsaswell.So,in lookingforaproducername,Iaskedmyself ‘WhoaretheiconicproducersinGhana?’I thoughtofM.O.GBeatz,AppietusandIalso thoughtofKillbeatz.AndIwaslike,ooh,whynot useKillbeatz?Youknow,sometimesIliketobea bitofacopycat.So,Iwaslike,okay,ifhisnameis Killbeatz,whatspincanIputonit?Killthebeat so…beaticide.Soyeah,that'showthename cameup.
Tani:Makessense,makessense.Iguessone thingaboutproductionis,howdoesthatwork, exactly?Cause,atleastforme,itfeelslikeoneof those
things where I'm like, ‘I can do this if I have time’, but I'm guessing it's not that easy. As someone looking from the outside, I feel like I just need to sit down and think of something that sounds nice and then just do it, but basically, how is the process? Can you talk me through it?
Kelvin: I usually start with the drums or the melody. When I start with the drums, the trajectory of the beat changes significantly, and when I start with the melody too, it's pretty different. By normal standards, people will call me a really good producer, but I look to my producer friends for inspiration I have many producer friends who are just as talented as me Sometimes, I wonder, ‘How do you think, like, how do you think of making this sound?’ Because, as much as you may like my sound, there's often a type of sound I'm trying to achieve
Tani: What type of sound? Talk to us about it. Like what are your influences? You can link yourself to other producers.
Kelvin: Okay, so, um, I listen to a lot of Kaytranada, for instance There’s also a particular style of Afrobeats I've always tried to emulate. My biggest dream as a producer was to learn how to make melodies the European style, but that affected how I felt about my music
I had a friend called Denzel who was really good at making European melodies, the kind you hear in, um, I don't know how to say it, but let’s take your regular trap. If you hear a typical trap song, and the melody is not a sample but sounds good, it's probably a European that made it And Denzel can open his laptop and easily make something like that
Ihavetoputinsomuchefforttomakesomethinglike that So,Ifigured,okay,maybewithhowIthinkabout musicgenerally,I’mjustnotmeanttomakethattypeof music
Andyouknow,youcanalsoseeitinthestyleofworkof lotsofartists Like,therecouldbeacertainpainterwho paintsacertainway,andevenifhewantsto,hejustcan't reallychangeit So,Istartedtryingtoacceptthatmaybe I'llfindmyspecialsoundelsewhere,butitwon't necessarilybewhatIwant.Soyeah,Idecidedtojustwork onthingsI'mgoodatratherthantryingtodoawholenew thing.ButIstillreallyhopethatonedayI'lllearnthepiano, tobeabletomakeEuropean-stylemelodies,thesoulful stuff.
Tani:Maybeyoucanapproachitasanexperiment.Every timeyouenteryourproducermode,treatitasthough you’regoingtoalabtoexperimentandseewhat happenswithit,likegoingintoitwithoutanyendgoalin mind.
Kelvin:Yeah
Tani:Igetthefeelingthatyouoftenhaveanendgoal,in thesensethatyouwantthemusictolookacertainway Whatifyoujustremovedthat?Andjustwentintoitand stuckwithwhateverwithwhateveryoucreated?
Kelvin:Well,that'salsoaninterestingideatoexplore becausethere'vebeenmanytimeswhenIjustcreated withoutthinking Mostofthesebeatshavegoneto HermanSuede,andIrealizedthat,forsomestrange reason,wheneverImadethesebeats,theydidn’tfeel right,butwheneverherecordedonthem,theyturnedout tobesomeofhisfavouritesongs.
People around him would say, ‘Yeah, this is a good song; you must release it’. I don't know how that happens because every beat I send him is made specifically for him, but then his favourite ones are the ones I create without much of a goal in mind So yeah, I guess sometimes it also helps to create without thinking
Tani: So, you’re a CS major. How did that come about? Of all the majors, why CS?
Kelvin: Yeah, so fun fact: I started coding in year 7. I used to code in Visual Studio, trying to create my own game here and there, and I don't know if it's fortunate or unfortunate, but I lost focus on that and instead went into producing in 2018.
It's not something I think about often, but lately, I’ve been wondering if I sacrificed my potential as a good coder for music I'm realizing that I can't split my focus between music and school If I don't do so well in school, knowing that I’m a very good student, it will feel awful So, I have decided to reduce the focus on music and commit to school.
Tani: Then why can't you do both? Why do you have to choose one? I mean, human beings are not onedimensional; We can have multiple dimensions. I don’t think we have to be just one thing. We can be many things.
Kelvin: Yeah, of course, we can be many things, but for me, when it comes to multitasking with things that require intense focus, I realized it's just
bestformetosticktoonething.Butyeah,it'ssomething Istillthinkabout,whethermusicwasadistractionor whetheritwasbeneficial.ButIknowforsurethatmusic hassignificantlyimpactedmysocialcapital.
Tani:Howcome?
Kelvin:I’llgettothat,butIthinkpeopleareevenseeinga shiftinwhatIfocuson TheythinkI'mbecominga businessmanbecausethissemesteralone,they’veseen megoforsomanyinterviewsandinsideevents,and they’relike,‘Ooh,he'snotdoingmusicanymore’,that kindofthing Butyeah,it'sjustsomethingImustdo My parentsalsosawthatIhadlostfocusoncoding Mydad hasalwayswantedmetobetheonewhodevelops somegreatappthatGhanauses,and,maybe,who knows,Imayenduplivingthatrealityoneday.
Youwereaskingaboutsocialcapital,right?
Tani:Yeah
Kevin:So,thethingaboutmusicisthatitcanopenalot ofdoorsforyou.AndI’mnotsurehowexactlytoputthis, butletmesee.TISisaveryhigh-endschool,sowhen yougothere,you'llmeetmanypoliticians’children…just alotofchildrenofpeopleintheupperechelonsof society.AndalthoughIdidn'thavesomanyfriends there,doingmusicgavemethatsocialcapitalinthe sensethatitexposedmeandhelpedmemeetmany peoplewhoareatthehighestlevelofthingsthroughTIS matesandfriends So,I’vemadealotofgreatfriends throughmusic
Tani:Yeah,Igetwhatyou'resaying Igetwhatyou're saying
Kelvin:YouactuallygetwhatI'msaying?
Tani: Yeah, yeah. You're able to make connections. I had a question in mind, but I just forgot what I was going to say. I hate it when that happens. You have a question, and then you just forget.
Kelvin: We can think of the social capital in another way. My music is catchy. And when I do something, I don't do it half-assed. So often, I catch people's attention, and obviously, many connections can be made through making good music. If I solely focused on coding, I'd probably not be known much. But with music, I get a chance to be known.
Tani: Okay. I guess my question was, when you listen to a song, what do you listen to? For example, when I listen to a song as a writer, I listen to the lyrics. Most times, the lyrics more than the beat, especially if it's a rap song. But what do you listen to? I'm guessing you focus more on the beats, but basically, take me through how it is when you're listening to a song. What comes to your mind? Because we experience music differently.
Kelvin: Yeah, I need to be 100% honest. The first thing I listen to in any song is definitely the beat.
Tani: So, if the lyrics are a masterpiece but the beat is trash, is it a trash song?
Kelvin: In some cases, I guess. I've never been able to repeat a Kanye West song or a Jay-Z song, for instance. And until now, I still don't know the contents of a lot of their songs. I won't say they are bad artists because I know they are well-renowned. But maybe it is because of some of the beats. I must say Kanye West has good beats, but maybe for someone like Jay Z or Mac Miller, if their beats don't match my taste, I won't be motivated to listen to their songs. So, for me, it's the beat first. The second thing is the energy in the vocals.
Tani:Thedelivery?
Kelvin:Thedelivery.That'swhatgotmeintoFreddieGibbs.I usedtolistentoBenny,butwhenIheardFreddie,Iwaslike, ‘Yo,thisguyhassomuchenergy’Freddiehasthebeats andtheenergyinhisvoice It’safterfocusingonthosethat Istarttodigthevocals So,Imustlistentoasongabout10 timesbeforegettingintothelyrics Recently,I'vebeen listeningtoasongcalledSpanishGuitar,andit'sjustthis morningthatIfoundoutwhatthesongwasactually saying,andit’sprettyvivid.
Tani:That'sinteresting.So,there'sagrowingteamofmusic producershereatAshesi.Wouldyouliketotalkabout that?
Kelvin:Alright BeforeIanswerthat,Ijustwantedtoadd somethingtowhatIsaidaboutmyfocuswhenlisteningto music Bybeats,I’mmainlyreferringtothemelody The melodymustbesoulfulandhavethatEuropeanorAsian orientalfeel.
Tani:Right.Youtoldmethatmelodiescaneitherbeflipped samplesorsomethingelse,sowhatdoyoumeanby melodies?
Kelvin:Itreallydoesn'tmattertomewhetherit'sasample ornotaslongasthemelodyfeelssoulful AndIdon'tmean R&Bandsoul Imeansomethingthatcaptivatesyou
Tani:HaveyouheardAlotby,um…what'shisname?
Kelvin:21Savage?
Tani:No,no Alot J Colehasafeatureonit I'mtryingto remember
Kelvin:(Raps)Howmuchmoneyyougot?Alot
"Musicismorethansound;it'san emotionaljourney.Mybeatsneedto touchyourheart."–Kelvin(Beaticide)
Tani:Yeah,thatone.
Kelvin:21Savageisonit
Tani:Yeah,yeah Savage Mybad
Kelvin:Yeah,that’sactuallyacoolone
Tani:Becausethat'swhatcameintomymind whenyousaidsoulful.Ithinkthatoneiskindof soulful,or?
Kelvin:Yeah.AnotherisBlackandChineseby QuavoandTravisScott.
Tani:Ihaven'theardthat.I'lllistentoit.Thatleads metothis.So,let'ssayIaskedforfivesongsto summarizeyourstyle;whatwouldtheybe?
Kelvin:Fivesongs?
Tani:Yeah,thatcaptureyourstyle/taste.
Kelvin:Okay.Ilikesongsthathaveanemotional orsadmelody.AndIdon'tmeansadasinAdele sad,butthewaytheinstrumentscometogether musttouchyourheartandmakeyoufeela certaintypeofway Ialsolikesomeenergyin there somehard-hittingandhard-knocking drums Ilikeuniquepercussionsoundsbecause theyreallytickleyourearsandmakeyoufeel nice.
Tani:So,ifyoucouldlistfivesongsthatdothat, whatwouldtheybe?Or…let’smakeittwo.Have youheard‘ShiningLight’byKanyeWest?
Kelvin:Yeah,I’veheardthatsong.It’sverydrumheavyandstuff.Ummm…Ican’tthinkofsongsto giveasexamplesrightnow,butI’lltrytogetthem toyouwhenIdo.
Tani:That'sfine,that'sfine.Soyeah,themusic sceneatAshesi.
"Socialcapitalmatters.Musicgave meaccesstospacesImightnever haveenteredotherwise."
Kelvin: The music scene at Ashesi is great and inspiring. There are guys like Kelly (Khxnbeats). There’s HKR MANUEL, R.S., Herman, and then *Jalil Thomas. One of my favourite artists in Ashesi is *Jalil Thomas I like his rap aesthetic Then there’s Kelly with his DJing and innovative ideas, and then Manuel for the persona he exhibits in his songs.The music community in Ashesi has actually made a lot of progress since we came, especially because we had *SLE fund the music and entertainment club. But I think we might need a bit more funding and a bit more time to properly establish ourselves. It's quite difficult knowing, though, how much work we still have to do as students Students like Khxnbeats and R.S. made a good choice picking business as their major, but for people like me and Manuel doing computer science, it’ll just get more demanding
Tani: So, I guess I'll end with this question. If someone looking to be a producer comes to you asking for three pieces of advice, what would you give them?
Kelvin: Hmm, okay So, three pieces of advice for up-and-coming producers.
First, they should have the right sensory capabilities. Just as an artist needs to learn how to see, a musician must also learn how to hear With everything you want to do, if you're going to do it with utmost quality, you need to know how to use the required sense well. So, what I mean by this is that some people can be making a beat that sounds bad, and they just aren’t aware. It's the same as taking a photo and being unable to tell it’s bad. So, with producers and just about any creative, you
needtorefineyourtaste.Ifyou’remixing asong,youshouldbeabletotellwhen thevocalsaren’thittingthatsweetspot. Youmustknowwhatagoodbeatsounds like,evenbeforeyoutrymakingone; otherwise,you'llstaystuck.That'sthefirst tip.Thesecondtipistomakeuseofalot ofresources.Theresourcesforbeatmakingareveryeasytofindonline,soif youthinkyoudon'thavetheresources, youareprobablylookinginthewrong places.
Thethirdthingisthattobeaproducer, youneedtohaveavisionofwhatkindof produceryouwanttobeandwork towardsthat.Forinstance,ifyou’re lookingtomakesongswithothers,you needtomakesureyoubuildconnections andhaveateamthatwillhelpyoubrand yourself.Otherwise,you'llwaitforan opportunityforsolongandstillnotfindit. Youneedtocreateyouropportunityby brandingyourself.
Tani:Yeah,soIthinkthat'sit.Thanksfor yourtime.
Title: To Get A Title B y: Praprara
A CONTRACT WAS BROKEN, AND THE NARRATOR WAS REJECTED FROM A TEAM DESPITE THEIR EFFORTS. NOW, THEY ARE DETERMINED TO PROVE THEMSELVES WORTHY, EVEN IN EXILE.
Bring us a summa That was the deal
Show us that you're ready
By this, your contract seal
But life had its own will
Howbeit how much I read A Magna, not what they asked for, But desire, undead
No summa cum laude They didn't let me in
“You said you could do it, you fraud!” “You can’t join us All we do is win”
They said I'm not a legend Not worthy of the team I had hit a dead end The end of a dream, it seemed
The wolves became my guide Watch out I will be back
While I’m banished to the northside I will not slack
InConversation, Sylvie ExchangeStudent
Transcribedby Kiki PhotographybyRonelle.
Ifthisissue’sintervieweecouldbeanycolour, she’dbe“blue”andIthinkthat’stheperfect introductiontothisissue’sinterviewee.“It’sthe colouroftheocean…Ijustlovethewater,”she continues.
Ifyouwantthemoretechnicalresponsethat finelywalkstheborderbetweenhumanand AI-generateditwouldgosomethingalong thelinesof:“MynameisSylvie I’mCzechianFrench.IgrewupintheCzechRepublicandI studyPoliticalScienceandAfricanStudiesin France.”Succinctandcomprehensive,it doesn’tgetmoreSylviethanthisintroduction either.
IwantedsomethinginEnglish,andIjustfelt thatWestAfricawasthepartofthecontinent thatwassuitedthebestforme.Andthenyes,I endedupinGhana.”
Tani:WhyEnglish,though?BecauseIimagine youspeakFrench.
Inthisconversation,TaniandI(Kiki)trytoget toknowherandlearnaboutherexperienceof Ghanasofar.
Tani:So,Sylvie,whycomeallthewayfrom Francetohere?
Sylvie:“So,IstudyabouttheAfricancontinent, whichwasthemajorreasonwhy.Ijust wantedtofindoutmoreaboutothercultures, becauseIgrewupinaverymonocultural society.And[atSciencesPo]weactually havetodoourthirdyearabroad,andIcould choosewhateveruniversity.AndIdefinitely wantedtogototheAfricancontinent.
Sylvie:“So,IspeakFrenchandCzech,and Germantoo,butIdefinitelywantedtoimprove myacademicEnglish.Ididmostofmy scholarlyworkinCzech,thenIdidtwoyearsin French,andthenIwantedtoswitchtoEnglish.”
Tani:Oh.Yeah.Well,that'scool.I'mslightly jealous,becauseIcanonlyspeakone language,
Sylvie:“Andisittrue,oryouactuallyspeakGa orTwi,butyouactuallydon'tcountit?
Tani:IunderstandYoruba,whichis...
Sylvie:“Yousee![laughs]”
Tani: I understand, but I can't speak it, so if someone speaks Yoruba, I reply in English I keep saying I will learn it in the future, but I don't know I will, sometime. Anyway, so how have you found Ashesi so far? You’ve basically done one semester. It's fine if you hate it. A lot of us do.
Sylvie: “I really like the campus
It's really beautiful I'm really glad I have a place where the community actually cares about me. I know the administration is really here to support me, which I think really helped me being here.
What is slightly different is that I'm used to doing social studies, and suddenly I find myself in a very, like, technical university It's really definitely interesting to be with people who do something completely different in life.
One thing I do quite mind is the fact that it's such a bubble. It's so disconnected from the rest of Ghana, which makes it really hard to actually get a feeling of the country, which is why I came
On the other hand, I really like the fact that it's so international, because at the end of the day, I meet not only Ghanians, but, like, I meet Kenyan friends and people from Zimbabwe and Niger, and this is something really enriching Yes”
Tani: I can relate to you on the bubble part, because sometimes I feel... Like, if I'm very disoriented or tired, I don't know the difference between... Like, I think if you put me anywhere in Ghana, I wouldn't know the difference between Ghana and Nigeria, because the people pretty much look the same. How do I put this? Basically, Ghana and Nigeria are very similar places.
Kiki:So,whateffortshaveyoumadeto,like,seethe restofthecountry?Like,haveyoubeenoutsideof campus?
Sylvie:“I'vebeentrying,yeah.I'vebeentrying,butit's sohard.
I'vebeentoAccraquitealotoftimes.We'vebeento CapeCoastwiththeODIP.Butit'sstillmorelikeplans togototheVoltaregion,tothenorth,toTogo,toIvory Coast.
Soit'smorelike,yes,I'vebeenout,butit'smoreplans fornow,whichIreallyhopeIcanputintopracticein thenextmonths,sinceI'mherefortwosemesters.”
Kiki:HowwasCapeCoast?
“Oh,itwasgreat.Itwasgreat.Iwouldactuallyloveto gobackthere,especiallytoseetheuniversity.
Itwasreallyinterestingtoseetheslavetradepartin person,because,ofcourse,it’ssomethingI'vebeen studyingalotabout Andit'sreallyimpressive Itwas kindofemotionallydisturbing.Andthecityisnice.It's somuchcalmer,muchmoretouristythanAccra.Like, youreallycanseethedifference.Like,Accraisacity whereyouhavetourists,butyoualsohavealotof peoplejustlivingthere.Well,whenyoucometoCape Coast,yousee,like,it'smuchsmaller,butonsucha smallerscaleyouhaveconcentratedsomany historicalbuildings Soyoucanactuallyseethatitisa touristattractionmuchmorethanifyougoto,Idon't know,MakolaorMadina”
Kiki:Anycultureshocksthatstandout?Like,whatare someofthethingsyou'restillgettingusedto?
Sylvie:“Oneoftheweirdestthingsisit'sstillthesame weathersinceI'vebeenhere.Mygrandparents,they justsendmephotosoftheirhomeandit’sundersnow. AndI'mlike,“What?”So,yeah,thefactthatit'sstillthe sameweather,Ifeelliketimejuststoppedforme,you know?IcamefromsummerintoGhanasoIhaven't experiencedtheseasonalchanges Butthat'snot cultural,like,it'sjustclimate.
Andreligion.Francehasaveryspecificunderstanding ofhowyoushouldshowyourreligioninpublicwhere, it'snotthatit'sseenbadly,it'smorethat,like,thestate triestojusterasereligionfrompubliclife.Sothere's, like,aseparationthat'smuchstrongerthaninother countries
Itmeansthatyouaren'tsupposedtohave,like, religioussymbolsatschools.Recently,they'veeven bannedabayasatschool Itjustmakesnosense becauseabayasaren'tactuallyreligioussymbols In France,peoplehavereligion,buttheyactuallydon't talkaboutit.Forexample,youprayinpublic,like,I don'tknow,peoplewillreallylookatyouweirdly.
So,yeah.SocomingfromthistoGhana,it's,like,avery bigshock.”
Tani:Whataboutfood?Like,backhome,wedon'tput steelonjollof,butpeopledothathere
[Ifyoudidn’tcatchthat,Taniistryingtothrowshade atGhanaians!Stonehimwhenyouseehim.]
“Forme,it’slike,whyistherenocheeseanywhere?And thebreadhereisdifferent,interestingly.”
Kiki:Howisthebreaddifferent?
Sylvie:“Mostlywehave,like,wholewheatbread Like, darkbread Andit'ssalty It'snotsweet Like bread isn'tsupposedtobesweet”
[Iknow,Icouldn’tbelieveiteither.Breadissupposed tobesweet!]
Kiki:I'veneverthoughtofbreadassalty.
Sylvie:“I'veneverthoughtofbreadtobesweet.”
Kiki:Howhaveclassesbeen,comparedto,like, SciencesPo?
Sylvie:“Idopoliticalscience,soI'musedtopeoplewho justdothat,youknow,allthetime.Andhere,foryou, it'smorelikeelectivecourses.Iactuallytakejust Afrikanasandthenbusinesslaw.Soit'sdefinitelybeen muchmorechill.I’mtryingtomakethemostofit.
Forexample,I'musedtowritinglongformessaysall thetime,andhere,it’snotasintense Ontheother hand,it'sreallyinterestingtotalkaboutAfricantopics withAfricanclassmates,soit'salotof,like,small piecesofinformationIlikelywouldn'tmaybeget otherwise.”
Tani:Sowhatdoyoudoforfun?Doyouplayany sports?
Sylvie:“Ilovecycling,andIreallymissithere Samefor climbing Idon'tknow I'mnotreallyusedtothegym, whichis,like,oneofthefewthingshereIcandosoI'm inastruggle Ididyogaforyearsthough Istilldo, actually.Yeah,it'soneofthethingsI'mabletodo here.”
Kiki: What about swimming?
Sylvie: “Swimming My grandparents live by the sea, so I've always loved water Like, there's a story where I was, like, one year old, and my parents took me to sea, and I was just, like, trying to push my father away to just go to the sea. I've always loved swimming so much
I have actually been to the beach here We went directly to Accra on Saturday, me with some random group. There were some internationals. And it was so over-stimulating.
I wasn't at all used to the, like, street vendors, because we just don't have them at all And I didn't know how to react Like, what is this? Same with the beach, and there were these guys with the horses. And I just had to tell them, like, 20 times that I wasn't interested. [laughs]”
Kiki: How was the traveling?
Sylvie: “I guess this is one of the cultural shocks or, like, one of the big differences The infrastructure in general and specifically the public transport and the roads. I come from Prague, which has, like, one of the best cities concerning public transport in Europe so the switch has been fun to navigate
Tani: Have you used public transport in Accra?
Sylvie: “Trotros? Yeah. Actually, I like them. The only thing is you have to understand how to get where and get the insights, but they’re cool”
[But once again Tani took the opportunity to throw shade! Stone him when you see him.]
Tani: I know we're interviewing you, but I'm just going to move this around. They play, like, the same songs every time. The same amapiano or afrobeats.
Sylvie: “I love how honest you are. [laughs] Well, to answer the question, I have the African music class which is definitely interesting. We discuss it a lot. Yeah, I still have a few playlists to listen to, I’ve been taking recommendations. But I feel there’s more I can do.
Especially African literature. I mean, I've been reading some stuff earlier on. Like, two years ago, I became really passionate about reading African authors. But since I've been here, I still haven't really found the energy. So that's what I'm planning to do more.”
That’s all we’ll be able to squeeze out of this very long interview. We talked about student life, her experience in the markets, her controversial takes and much more. If you want to know more, you’ll have to find her secrets from her herself.
UNTITLED ByEsinam
Dearall,
Thisisneitherapersonalattacknorarespectfuldiscourse.Ifmywordsseemtopierceyou,restassured:youlikelydonot knowme,norIyou.Takecomfort,however,inknowingthatyouareamonghundredsatAshesiwhomayfindthemselves overthinkingwhetherthesewordsweremeantforthem.Thoughtheyareprobablynot.
Ihaveyettounderstandtheallureofanonymousmessages,afactquiteironic,giventhatInowwriteforthisesteemed publication Yetletmebeclear:myopinionsdonotreflectormirrorthoseofthecuratorsoftheseworks Ioncewondered whatallthebuzzwasaboutuntilcuriouseyespeekedatwhatwasshared-amasterfulcollection There’snodenying whatstealstheshow:theacknowledgementofthatspecialsomeone,subtleconfessions,andshoutoutstofriends.Itonly getsbetterwithrelationshipdrama,situationshipissues,acontroversialtakeonschooldecisions,frustrations,andthe juicydetailsthatmakeuspausemid-assignmenttodecodethecryptic,poeticlines.
Asareaderandwriterofafewofthesenecessarydiversionsandpotentialrants,Idaresaythiswell-wisherhas confidentlymasteredtheartofcraftingtheperfectanonymousmessageif,ofcourse,beingnoticedisthegoal. Stayinganonymousseemsmostlylikeafarce,oratleasttheattempttoremainanonymousdoes.Ourbrilliance,afterall, transcendstheclassicelementaryschoolgiveawayslike,“Youknowyourself”or“YournamestartswithanA”Let’sbe honest:IfIseethat,Iknowyouwantmetooverthinkandfortheothercuriousmindsaroundustoremainunaware Clever?Perhaps,ifwewerekids Subtle?Notquite
So,whynottryamorerefinedapproach?Thetruthis,someofusaren’treallytryingtostayhidden,nomatterhowmuch weconvinceourselvesotherwise.Fortheboldamonguswhodaretostrayfromtheoverlycautiousandtrulywishtobe noticed,asmall,deliberatehint-justenoughtosparkcuriosityorspeakdirectlytotherecipient,mightbefartoo tempting.
Let’sstarteasy:shoutouts.They’renotthatdeep,arethey?Aclassic:“ShoutouttoNana,Afia…”andthenamesrollon. Mentionsixofyourclosestfriendsandconvenientlyexemptyourself It’sacutewaytoacknowledgethewholefriend groupwhilesubtlyannouncingtotheworld,“Lookthroughthislistofpeoplewhosticktogether-whoeverisn’there probablysubmittedthis”Subtle?Notatall Adorable?Kindof Addanicknameorinsidejoke,andyou’veturneditinto somethingonlyaselectfewcangrinatwhilescrollingthroughtheirphones
Orkeepitassimpleaspossible:“Shoutouttotheguyin’27whoselaughtermakesmyday.”Short,sweet,andgeneric enoughforeveryonetoglossoverbutenoughfortheself-centredamongustobelieveit’saboutthem.Shoutoutsarea perfectwaytothanktheoneswhosavedyourgrades,brightenedyourday,orremindedusthattheselittleconnections matter.Theyareawayofsaying,“Iseeyouwhetheryouknowitornot.”Sowhynotspreadthelovetothemost remarkablepeopleinAshesi?Lecturers,staff,foodvendors,andanyonewhodeservesamomentinthespotlight.
“You knowyourself”
UNTITLED ByEsinam
Ofcourse,there’stheothersideofshoutouts:theperfectwaytothrowsubtleshadewhilekeepingthingscalm A favourite:“Totheonewhositsinahoodieandturnstheroomintoafreezer:weloveyou”orasimple“Shoutouttothe funfoolersoutthere.”Justenoughsasstoleavenohardfeelings.Or,betteryet,blendcharmwithboldness:“Tothepretty girlwhositsatthebackofmystatisticsclassandwearsbraces,yoursmilemakesmyday.”Itisalittledaringand guaranteedtomakesomeoneblush(orcringe,butthat’sariskyoushouldbewillingtotake).Butthesearen’tas problematicashandlingourdifferentopinions.Theshoutoutsandcomplimentsarejustonesideofthestory.Ashesilife hasitsquirks,frustrations,andhardtruths,too.
Postsaboutschoolworkanddecisionsrangefromsadtruthstosimpleobservationsand,attimes,full-ondepressing rants “Goandsleepbecauseyoucanlearntill3,andthepaperwillstillhumbleyou”Relatabletosome,butdefinitelynot all(you,brilliantpeoplewhoinsistotherwise) Yet,evenaswenodinagreement,let’sadmitit:takingourownadviceis easiersaidthandone Thesepostsserveascautionstoridfreshersofthesweetlieswefedourselvesaboutautopian Ashesibeforeexperienceofficiallybecamethebestteacher.Butlet’snotscarethemtoomuch,shallwe?Keepitsimple. Sharetruths,notpitypoints;justenoughtounburdenyourself,releasepent-upfrustrations,andstillletusenjoythethrill offiguringthingsoutonourown.
Ouranonymousformremainsakindofsafespace.Atleastwearewillingtohearyouout-evenHallmarkCafe.Write everythingyoucan’tdoandpretendyouwilltakeyourownadvice.“NeverdateanAshesiguy”areboldwordsfrom someoneclearlyeyeingoneor,attheveryleast,enjoyingaValentine’sDaygiftfromthesamepeopletheyarewarning usagainst Still,itmightprovetobeinvaluableadvicebutallinall,Iguesswechoosewhattobelieve
Ifyouwantustoknowyourtakeonschooldecisions,shareyourthoughts,butkeepitrespectful Thatshouldnotbetoo hard.Shoutingintothevoidwon’tmakeanyonestoptoconsideryourpoint,noteventwice.Insightfulcomments, however,might.Sharethoughtsthatstemfromreflection,notrage,andyou’llfindyourpostcarriesmoreweight.Before ventingyourfrustrations,pausetoconsidertheotherside’spointofview,especiallyschooladministration.Addadashof constructivecriticismwherenecessary;afterall,noonecanactonshallowcomplaintsorbaselessattacks.Ifyouwant changeorevenjustattention,makeyourwordscount.Youcanadvocateforusto“Putmoreeffortintoyouracademics andmakemorefriendswho’llhelpyougrowbetter.”Thesepostsshinewithoutveeringintochaos.
Attheendoftheday,welookforwardtoyourthoughtsonanythingschool-relatedbecauseitremindsusthatweareall inthistogether,survivingthegrind,laughingdespiteourpainandoccasionally,cryingoverproblematicgroupmembers Asharedstruggleisalittlelessheavywhensomeonesays,“Same”or“Icanrelate”
Icouldgoonandon,tellingyouwhatweexpectfromajaw-droppingconfession:messagestothatcrushwhohasno ideawhoyouare-sweetwordsthatleavethemblushingbehindtheirlaptopscreen(ifyouleaveaclue,onlytheycan understand),orevenacleverlinethatmakestheentirecampusdoadouble-take.Butattheheartofitall,just remember:Subtleisintriguing,boldisunforgettable,andpoeticbutalwaysagam.So,whateveryouchoose,makeit count;youneverknowwhomightbereading(oroverthinkinginanefforttodecodecrypticlines).
SurvivingyourFirstYearat Ashesi
AFreshman’sGuidetoThriving
HereareafewthingsIwishIknewtomakemyAshesilifeeasier.
1.FakeItTillYouMakeIt(ButActuallyTrytoMakeIt)
Everyoneoncampuslooksconfidentandpurposeful likethey'reeitherplanningthenextcoup,launchingKantanka's Amoanimaa20ororganisingthehottestpartyinBerekuso Buttruthbetold,weareallwingingit
OnmyfirstdayatAshesi,IsatonthecurboftheroadtotheFabLabandcried(it’smydesignatedcryingspotnow) I didn'tthinkitcould'makeit'here(whateverthatmeantatthetime) Everyoneseemedaheadofthegame;honestly,Ifelt outofplace.Butthesecretis,noonehasitallfiguredout,notevenPatrick(sorry,Patrick).Wetakeitonedayatatime, givingeachdayourbest evenifthatbestlooksdifferentondifferentdays.
Try.Evenifyoufail,tryforthesakeoftheexperience.Itbuildscharactertolevelsyoucannotimagine.Don'tbetheperson wholooksbackattheirAshesiyearswithnothingmemorabletoshare.Youmightregretit.
2.LearntoLoveGroupWork-Don'tbeaDeadweight.
deadweight(noun)
1Aheavy,inertmassthatresistsmovementorprogress. .
2.
Apersonorthingthatisburdensomeorunproductive,especiallyinagroupsetting;someonewhodoesnotcontribute oraddvaluetoataskorproject.
Example:"Ingroupwork,thedeadweightmadetheprojectmoredifficultforeveryoneelse."
ThreethingsareinevitableinAshesi assignments,badWi-fiduringalastminute11:59submissionandgroupwork.FDE willbeoneoftwothings youeitherloveitoritwillshowyoushege Andit'snotbecauseofthepresentations it's becauseofyourteammates
Butyouknowwhateveryonehatesmorethangroupwork?Adeadweight Thatonepersonwhodoesnotcontribute anythingmeaningfultothegroupandslowseveryonedown.Honestly,nothingisworsethanalowgradebecauseoneor twopeopledidnotdotheirpart(edeyvexwaa).
SurvivingyourFirstYearat Ashesi AFreshman’sGuidetoThriving
Eventhoughthecampusissmall,somehow,you'llgetlostwithinthefirstfewweeks.Ioncewalkedintothewrong classroomaftertakingabreak.30+studentsandalecturerstaredatme,probablywondering,"Nawhobethisone?" Please,Icarriedmyshameandleft.
Whenthesethingshappen,ownit Laughandletitgo That'slife Peoplearetoobusychoppingbreakfastanddealing withtheconsequencesoftheirprocrastinationtorememberyourawkwardmoments Sorelaxandkeepitpushing
4.Breefiiinnnn,oouuuut
Inmyhumblestofhumbleopinions,Ashesiistough,butneglectingyourselfmakesitunnecessarilyharder(whyyouwan keeyoursef?)Somestudentsdon'tsleep,skipmealsandeventuallybecomeshadowsofthemselves.
I'mnotsayingdon'tfocusonyourstudiesbutcareaboutyourselfenoughtoplanforthedaysahead.Includebreaksand mealtimesinyourdailyschedule yourfutureselfwillthankyou.Youdeserveasoftlife,evenifit'saquicknapafter StatisticsorwatchingArcaneonaFridaynight
IhaveamidweekbreakonWednesdays After19:00,myphoneisonDnD,andthenightismine Thisrechargesmysocial batteryandhelpsmepowerthroughtherestoftheweek Remember,regardlessofwhatyouneedtosubmitorstudy, thereisalwaystimeforabitofself-careandrelaxation.Youjusthavetomakeithappen.
5.AllowAshesiToPassThroughYou
OneadviceIgotduringorientationwas:"YourAshesiexperienceiswhatyoumakeit.Butifyouwanttomakeitbetter, allowAshesitopassthroughyou".Usingintrinsicanalysis,thismeansimmersingyourselfintheAshesiexperience, exploringeverythingAshesioffers academics,extracurricularsandcampusculture(that70kisnojoke)
Ashesistudentsbackthenstudiedhardbutpartiedharder Whilethatcultureseemslostnow(astoryforanotherday),a fewofusstillkeeptheoldflamealive.WeattendeventslikeWellnessWednesdays,whereweunleashourinnerPicassos inthenameofstressrelief.WeattendlisteningpartieswithAnnabelleRoseandplanmovienightswithourfriendsinthe 2Clobbyandmore.
SurvivingyourFirstYearat Ashesi
AFreshman’sGuidetoThriving
rememberyou'renotalone.Everyoneisfiguringitout,justlikeyou.
Sotakeitonedayatatime Pushyourselftotrynewthings(evenifitissomeone'sgirlfriend),showupforothers,but mostimportantly,showupforyourself
Toodles, ~theWordsmith
