Ink Magazine: 9th Edition

The Ink March 2015

The Final Stretch

The Ink March 2015 Edition

The Ink March 2015

EDITORIAL Hello readers!

Honestly, having to write these addresses is the one thing that I totally underestimated when I took up the Editor-In-Chief position.

You would be surprised the number of hours it took for me to steer clear from all the fake-deeps in my mind and put this together. I must admit that the pressure to deliver is deep but then again, nobody forced me to do this. All I can do is tap into the past

The Final Stretch

COVER

Models: Priscilla Tabi, Estalynn Ahiampong, Omar Khadi, Crystal Boateng, Samuel Acquah, Mona Odumang, Wilfred Adjartey, Nii Kommey Tetteh

THE EDITORS

Mawuli Adjei, Kingsley Agyekum, Ewurabena Hagan, Adwoa Adobea Armah, Ahomka Mills Robertson, Susana Abraham, Odunsi Bowofoluwa, Eugene Akorli, Naa Adukwei Quarcoopome.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Micaiah Wiafe, Alex Adu

PHOTOGRAPHY

Micaiah Wiafe, Charles-Martin Buckle, Daniel Bonsu, Alex Adu, Rev. Steve Buchelle

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Photography Club, History of Berekuso, Ashesi Students’ Council, Public Relations Committee, Checkpoint, Jane Annan, Alfred Achiampong, Team 1000 Words

All rights reserved. Copyright © The Ink 2015

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season of Easter and know that it is my cross to bear.

This academic year has been full of ups and downs; from the ebola scare to Patrick’s placement on Fortune’s top 50 world leaders. As it winds up with people picking lowkey internship moves and exam fever menacingly setting in, I wish you all the best of luck in everything you set your hearts to.

P.S: Do put your hats off whenever you see Joseph and the excellent people who made up

the

former

editorial

team.

We

all

wouldn't be here if not for their hard work.

Here is the final issue of the academic year.

Hope you enjoy.

Happy reading.

Mawuli Adjei, Editor-In-Chief

CONTENT PROMO

Barry Adomaa

ASC

ASC Week JEC Address

CAMPUS

Change Your DP 2.0 The F-Word

SPOTLIGHT

Esi Stephen Armah

FASHION

From the Mind to the Runway

PIECE FEATURE Frozen in a Bubble

STORY Oh Mama The Penance of the Immortals Hoax

STORY FEATURE

Foreign Exchange Productions Explore Berekuso #147NotJustANumber

CAMPUS RANT

Ahomka’s Ginger

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PROMO

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ASC

JEC ADDRESS -Sedem Banini.

It is amazing to think that the spring semester is almost over! The JEC is excited to share with you what has been happening over this semester with regards to its activities and programmes.

The Honour Code Series with the Class of 2018 is underway as the students deliberate on whether or not to sign onto the Honour Code in October. It is amazing to be a part of vibrant conversation concerning honour and what that looks like on our campus. The next Honour Code Talk event will be a play performed by the Art Factory and we entreat all members of the Ashesi Community to attend.

The Constitutional Review is up and running with a committed team working to revise the ASC Constitution. The committee has been split into four groups to tackle specified sections of the Constitution which are ASC Structure, ASC Functions, Elections & Resignations and Miscellaneous. Currently the groups are doing their research on what needs to be changed. If you have any ideas or want to address any issues in the Constitution, please be on the lookout for any members of the JEC or the Constitutional Review Committee. They are here for all your concerns and questions about the Constitution.

In concern with the recent “I Lost My Faith in the Honour Code” email, I entreat everyone to adhere to the Honour Code, especially the social aspect of it. It is important that we respect everyone’s property on campus and ensure that we return borrowed goods to their rightful owners. That being said, please look after your belongings as you anywhere else in the world.

Remember, if you have any concerns, feel free to approach either myself or any of the members of the JEC. We are here to serve you and need to know your concerns so we can help you in the best way possible.

I wish you all the best in your upcoming exams and a fantastic summer break!

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SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT

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Esi

It's very hard to be recognised as a very smart person especially in a community of highly intellectual people such as Ashesi but boy does this lass pull it off! She is kind, intelligent, and upon all these accolades, she is humble too. We present to you, our very own, Esi Yeboah. by:Hiickmat Abdulai

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You look so innocent and quiet so if you were arrested for a crime, what do you think that crime would be?

I don’t think I would ever commit a crime. I’m too innocent that my imagination cannot think of any crimes to commit. (evil smile) You are in your final year now, how does it feel?

I still don’t believe it. I remember myself as a fresher but now I am almost a graduate. I have mixed feelings because I am yet to face the real world. I am stressed with final projects and I have to think of job opportunities and all.

Talking about employments, tell me a bit about Bank of America.

Oh yes, Bank of America (smiles). When I was told on phone that I had been selected, I was shocked. If there is a word more than shocked, I was that word.

I was too nervous during the phone interview so I really didn’t think I would make it. But yeah I made it!

In your years in Ashesi, have you had any crushes?

No crushes at all. It’s just me in my small little corner.

What is your biggest fear?

Snakes freak me out. I mean look at the way they crawl and all. Ew What is your pet peeve?

I am not a neat freak but I really hate disorganized places. It just worries my soul.

Tell us something about you no one in Ashesi knows.

Ok, so I just spent 6 months in nursery school then I moved on.

Heard you are super smart but what is the one thing you simply cannot do?

I don’t know how to dance at all. I try so hard but I just don’t get it right. I mean how? What else does dancing want from me?

What are your hobbies?

I love playing hockey but I can’t show my talent here because Ashesi doesn’t have a hockey field. You would see my name on the Sportswoman section of Page 08

SPOTLIGHT the Ubora award. (laughs). I also love preaching on weekends because I am Jehovah’s Witness. I am hardly in school on weekends because I go to preach. I have stayed in school only twice during the weekend. Amazing right?

What has been your greatest struggle in your four years at Ashesi?

Monday mornings, Oh My God. It is just a struggle to get up from my bed. I wish Mondays didn’t exist at all.

When I came in as a fresher I was told that no matter how strong you are, Ashesi will make you cry at a point. How true is that?

100% true. I haven’t shed tears but I have cried more than a 100 million times.

I cry internally like always. Who wouldn’t cry in this school? Hmmmmm How do you brand yourself?

I am a simple girl and I like being in my own space and corner this is because I fear trouble a lot. (laughs) So my brand is definitely simplicity.

Hot Seat Older men or extremely younger men Older men Money or Fame Fame because I can be famous for something good Ugly and rich or handsome but poor handsome but poor. I can support my man Break up after he cheats or give him a second chance Give him a second chance, after all I might need a second chance myself haha

I am a simple girl and I like being in my own space... my brand is definitely simplicity.

Ugly and rich or handsome but poor Handsome but poor. I can support my man Page 09

SPOTLIGHT FASHION

From the Mind to the Runway

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T

he true creativity of an artist is portrayed through his designs and creations.

Fashion sketches are the simplest form of presenting an idea developed by a fashion designer. Sketches created are very convenient to post on various media in order for a designer to put his or herself out there.

Normally a fashion sketch is considered as the blueprint of the final outcome. For a successful designer, it is very important to develop and design these sketches with full confidence because they provide a platform for these sketches to serve as the best marketing tool. The features and trends in the fashion industry can be presented through complete sketches.

Sketching in fashion can be considered as an art form because it gives people the freedom to bring out any wild idea without the fear of making a mistake. This is a creative, generative process that does not only discover great ideas, but also brings forth amazing decisions in clothing making. The final outcome of fashion sketches are the dazzling clothes we see during fashion shows and even the beautiful clothes you may buy.

Sketching is a skill worth perfecting and is invaluable to everyone considering fashion as a hobby or career.

Artwork: Jane Amerley Annan

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STORY

Oh Mama by:Ben dictQuartey(2018)

by: Akosa Jesse Clifford “Mama, I tripped!” Mama came close to me, examined me from head to toe; hair all ruffled up, face looking like an underground miner, elbows and knees all bruised. She wondered if I had traded the white Armani shirt she got me with the earth. I could see that fiery anger lit up in her eyes, I knew I had a few minutes before she sent me back to my Maker. Before she could begin her tongue lashing I blurted; “it was not my fault”.

It was time to relive my day a few minutes back.

“Mama, me was walking…” her eyebrows raised “…I meant I was walking downtown in an attempt to kill time off whilst waiting for our side of the world to be blessed with electricity. Just as I turned off a corner, a five foot-two, slender legged, strawberry lipped, curved-in-all-the-right-places lady caught my attention, ‘oww’ Mama at that moment I was stunned and didn’t notice the gutter ahead of me, and that’s when…”

“You tripped” Mama said.

“Ooh no!” I exclaimed, “Though stunned, I passed right over the gutter. I noticed her walking towards me. I really couldn’t believe a woman that fine could exist goddamn!”

Mama cast a look at me that sent shockwaves through my spine. “So umm, as I…Umm was saying, she was walking towards me, her movements were so suave, a delicate appealing smile, coupled with the swaying of hips as she walked to rhythm of heavenly music. I kept staring at her till my nostrils caught her perfume and then a stone appeared out of nowhere…” “…And that’s when I...Mama, can I get that bottle of water at your side please?” I gulped down the water and continued “…And that’s when I decided to stop and speak to the lady, I missed the stone. My brain formed the words I wanted to speak, it communicated it to my tongue, and my tongue froze. I was still in shock, I am still in shock Mama.

Anyway, she walked past and I couldn’t say a word.”

Mama clearly looking irritated asked, “So when did you trip?” that’s when I realized I had deviated from the main point. “ Oh yeah, I dropped a coin in a mad man’s hand as I was coming, he wanted more so started chasing me, and that’s when I tripped.”

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PROMO

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SPOTLIGHT

STEPHEN ARMAH

by: Susana Abraham

He is lovable, always has a smile to share with everyone, and is a true economist in every way. He has managed to capture our hearts with his avid conversations and his definitive black boots. We present to you an amazing lecturer and a truly interesting individual in the person of Dr. Armah.

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SPOTLIGHT To begin with, what is the story behind your biggest fashion statement, the boots?

(Chuckles). Erm, I travelled outside, I think in December of 2014 and I found out my shoes were not the best for the snow. I kept falling the whole time so I decided I was going to get snow boots. I realized that Ashesi was also quite a difficult terrain that needed snow boots. You can find scorpions and snakes and all kinds of things on campus so I decided that those boots would be good for Ashesi. My feet would be well protected.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up in Nsawam. I didn’t go to a private school, I went to a public school but it was a very good one. It was during the time that we had difficulties in ‘83 when we didn’t have a lot of food and all. I would say my childhood was what you would term as innocent. It was not in the city. It was in the village where you have friends with whom you go hunting for birds or follow a hoop, we call ‘ky3n ky3n’. It was quite good.

Did you always want to be a lecturer?

I knew I always wanted to be a professor which meant that you had to teach as well but I didn’t set out to be a teacher. That was not what I set out to do but I knew that I was someone who liked to study. I guess there are people who like to do physical things and even though I like doing physical things, I also like reading and being with books. I figured that was where I would end up.

We heard you could have been a lecturer in America what made you give it up for Ashesi?

A couple of things made me give it up. I was lecturing in America but my parents got sick. Unfortunately for me both parents got sick with stroke and my mother also had Parkinson Disease. If one could take care of the other that would have been fine but because it was both of them there was not much you could do and most of my other siblings are married to Americans so they couldn’t come. Good or bad I had been outside the country for ten or twelve years without really communicating with home so once I heard that they were sick, it was hard to concentrate so I decided that I will come. At that time I heard the guy who had been Page 15

visiting us a lot at Swarthmore, Patrick, had finally started a university. I decided that if Patrick was going to bring Swarthmore values to Ghana then there was something I could contribute because I had also been to Swarthmore and I liked the model. When I came I thought it was a good decision because if not for anything at all as you teach you can see some of the students change right before your eyes and that is the best part. A little investment in them and you can see them transform. I don’t think you can put money value on that.

What has been your most memorable day as a lecturer in Ashesi?

I know everyone will say the same thing but I think the first day we came to Berekuso because we had been at Labone for a long time and it had always been “oh you will go to Berekuso” (laughs). So the day we actually stood in the classroom at Berekuso then I knew okay we were here.

Who was your biggest role model as you grew up and why?

I think it has changed but when I was young it must have been Mohammed Ali because I chanced upon him by reading old newspapers which my parents for some reason kept for a long time. I got the stories and I asked my parents about it. I liked the fact that even if you beat him he will make sure to beat you too. But as I grew up it has changed to people like Lee Kuan Yew. What do you do when you leave Ashesi campus, as in what are your other interests?

Well, I watch a lot of soccer and I do a lot of research. I read a lot because as a professor you are expected to publish a lot but it is the same time that you use to teach. So it is usually reading and research.

In your opinion what is the magic formula for success?

Being determined and knowing that failure does not mean the end because even the best have failed before. I am not saying that you shouldn’t do your best all the time. Maybe the best formula for success is preparation. Even the smartest person can be beaten by a well prepared person. But be it as it may be even if you are well prepared and you fail, you shouldn’t think that failure is the end.

Do you believe the economics department in Ashesi would begin soon?

Yes. I believe in about a year it would begin. We now have another faculty, Page 16

SPOTLIGHT which we thank God for so all we need is about two more, as well as, office space. The new faculty when it came up struggled with office space but we now have office space. A couple more classrooms and office spaces is what we need to start the economics department.

Last question and it’s a bit personal, when will we be hearing the wedding bells for you?

Laughs. I think like all of you I am also wondering. When the time comes you would be the first to know.

Being determined and knowing that failure does not mean the end because even the best have failed before is

the magic formula for success

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CAMPUS

Change Your DP 2.0 An Ashesi Photography Club initiative

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This year Ashesi Photography Club, through the Change Your DP 2.0 fundraiser, raised a whopping GH 1000 in support of the Endowment Fund as part of our contribution to Ashesi’s Civic Engagement goal.

We would like to use this opportunity to show our deepest appreciation to all those whose efforts and contributions made this event a success, especially photographers from: Apag Studios, Pixslrate Studios, Afriyie Photography and Esdomp Photography.

For regular Twitter: Facebook: Tumblr: Instagram:

updates from the club follow us on: @AshPhotoClub Ashesi Photography Club ashesiphotographyclub.tumblr.com @ashesi_photography Micaiah Wiafe, Photography Club President

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SPOTLIGHT

STORY

The penance of the immortals by: Benedict Quartey Urion!! Urion!! Urion!! Wake up Urion, wake up!! These words echoed through my head as I faded into the light, I was tired of all the fighting, all the wars. My grandfather told me long ago of how our family was special, he told me we were from one so ancient and powerful no one dared mention our name. He said when I was of age my true form would be revealed and then I was supposed to protect the tribe from those who seek to destroy us. Well, centuries have passed since I became what I am now, and I am tired, finally I was going home.

Then I heard it again Urion!! I suddenly felt heat so intense it jolted me back to consciousness, had she not been the first thing I saw as I opened my eyes I would have probably vaporized the entire village or at least what remained of it. Her name was Sol and like my family, hers was special too. Perhaps it was her presence that I confused for the light of Aeskr-the eternal hall of the brave- her eyes were filled with tears and she had her hands around my head, as I saw the light that radiated from the body I realized what she had done and what had happened to me.

My people had been attacked by the Drekrs-those who gave in to the dark-, and in my attempt to defend my home I was fatally injured. The last thing I saw was Sol running towards me, even with her powers she couldn’t disrupt the eternal balance, a life for a life that was the price she had to pay for my life. As I watched her die I felt rage so intense I almost gave in to the darkness that constantly lurked in our lives as half breeds, had it not been for her light that lived through me I would have become a Drekr myself.

My people and the Drekrs have been fighting for eons, yet we had a code, we did not invade and pillage each other’s homes, this time they went too far and I being the last of my kind, absorbed the power of my people that filled the ground on which their blood poured and retaliated with a force the world hadn’t seen since my grandfather formed Aeskr from nothingness. I materialized in the land of the Drekrs enveloped by a 30 feet tall astral body of pure energy and laid waste to their land.

Perhaps I shouldn’t have destroyed an entire civilization, for not all Drekrs destroyed my village, perhaps I should have shown some mercy for that is what Sol would have wanted.

My curse for my actions is to roam the universe alone and with the guilt I feel for destroying so many. What was supposed to be retribution for my people became a massacre of so many innocents, I guess that is the funny thing about vengeance.

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STORY AD

H OA X by: Amezah Makafui Today, my grandfather died…I killed him. Quite unintentionally, or maybe not. It’s complicated. Allow me to take you to a place rid of your distasteful imagination to a place far more superior, far more stimulating. *** “Dinner is served”. Arnold the chef squeaked, bowing low. Just the way Grandy liked his food. Flushed, bare, very much alive, and unrestrained! “Release him”, he hissed. His excitement, palpable.

Arnold moved swiftly in obedience. He looked at the young man bound to the ceiling briefly as though wishing him luck, and then pulled the lever. The fall was long and hard. Nothing more exciting than to play with your food before the kill. The man’s face was hooded like the countless others before him, making it impossible to look upon his countenance. Grandy clapped in excitement. What a coward. I wish he would look them in the face whenever he did this. But today would be his last.

This man of which I speak - I was he, the grandson of Grandy. See, my family is not like most. Our satisfaction is not derived from grilled chicken and red wine, but the mouth-watering innards and the warm blood of a dying human being with the occasional garnish of flesh. We are everywhere, but we found a way to survive without the gore. But my granddad was a diehard conservative and would have none of it. Every year, he adds to the number of mysterious disappearances. We were very much fed-up, Arnold and I. Yes, Arnold is in on this plot. The supposed insignificants are often the most powerful weapons. “On your feet!”, Grandy barked, his mood now impatient. I staggered as I stood up. It was almost time. In a flash, the familiar smell of his old clothes choked me and on my neck, his warm breath and a drip of saliva on my shoulder. Timing was everything. Just as he bit into my dry neck, I held his and snapped it sharp. I tugged of the hood and kneeled over him before I drove the wooden stake through his heart, just to make sure. Now you understand, it had to be done. Just like I had to put myself out of the nightmare of living with what I had done. From beyond the grave, I wrote this account for the reading pleasure of the Dead. Should you be reading this now, know that you are very much dead as I am. For only the eyes of the lifeless can perceive the writings of the Dead. Not to worry, there are far less unnerving monstrosities in this life than in the one past, I assure you. My granddad and I bid you a warm welcome home.*** “Mummy, I’m scared”. Oh don’t worry little one. My parents used to read me this same story on Halloween when I was your age. One of my favourites. You’re safe with me.

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FEATURE

Foreign Exchange Productions (FXP)

You have probably had a taste or more from the mind-blowing collaboration of some of the most diverse disk jockeys on Ashesi. The Foreign Exchange Productions (FXP) is a brand born in 2014 out of innovation and ingenuity, with the aim of providing pleasure to music lovers in Accra. This brand is an initiative of Kevin Banful (DJ K3V) and manages to rock parties, jam lounges and occasionally take over your local cafeteria.

For those of you picky about the kind of music you listen to, no worries! These eclectic DJs are not bound by genres irrespective of their personal inclinations.

And now let’s meet the individuals that make up the FXP team: DJ Eff, who lives, breathes and bathes hip hop.

DJ Kev, who never passes through a gig without attempting to leave people wasted.

DJ eX, who keeps his mixes multi-genre

and is constantly putting out mixes you don’t hear everyday, DJ Baylor, Ashesi University alumni and party starter.

And last but definitely not the least of the DJs; DJ Sid, official disk jockey for Keche who knows how to keep a crowd hyped!

Yet still, there are more interesting characters who make FXP what it is! Logistics manager, Chris Ampadu and general manager, Nylla. These two link FXP’s DJs with the hottest gigs and also fan the FXP fire behind the scenes.

Our philosophy, according to DJ Kev is “for the papping!” However, we keep ourselves grounded and focused on excellence as you may have seen from the smash that Labyrinth was and we hope to be working the Ultra Music Festival in ten years.

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ASC

ASC WEEK

BONFIRE NIGHT (Sunday) The Ashesi Student Council week began with a beautiful bonfire, glow sticks and DJ Mainoo, Judah and Darfoor kept the occasion alive with some good music and their ever entertaining personalities. Gilbert, Jeremy and Kofi opened the show with their dance moves. Spoken word by Ahomka, Dan, J Milla, and Haq brought depth to the occasion and our musicians, Barry and Odunsi, soothed the crowd with their amazing voices. It was an incredible start to ASC week and it set the tone for a memorable week that showed that those who work hard, still know how to play hard.

-Vanessa Sam

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CAREER DAY (Monday) The ambience of career day’s morning was truly beautiful with students dressed up as music producers, lawyers, boxers, engineers, sheikhs.

It was an awesome setting. No doubt, some of the professions were hard to tell because their attires were a just a blend of normal clothes.

However, they generated a really fun buzz as onlookers tried to guess what those people were dressed as.

Career day ended with a career panel discussion with Efya and some other high profile professionals, I cleared some doubts about my career path as the panelists shared their stories with the Ashesi community. By the end of the day I could not get Efya’s melodious treat out of my mind. “It’s the little things that you do that makes me love you more….” was on replay all night long!

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CULTURE DAY (Tuesday) Quite a number of students came to campus fully dressed to represent their cultures. The Ghanaian "kaba and slit" stole the show alongside alongside clothing from all over africa, showing the high level of diversity on our campus. The Ashesi Arts Factory also played their part on this day with a beautiful play dubbed The Single Story about stereotypes which was both humorous and educative.

Culture Day was not only fun. but very educative and demonstrated that students on our campus are true global citizens.

CRAZY DAY (Wednesday) Crazy Day was exactly that: Crazy! The day’s activities started at midnight as a group of boys moved from room to room in each hostel, banging on their wooden African drums, shaking up the night and scaring even the hardest of people. Later on, the rain almost soured the day’s activities but even this could not downplay the craziness that we had been waiting to unleash for so long. People donned tattered clothes, guys came out in ladies’ nighties and there were a few brave souls who came out in outfits made entirely out of polythene. Even class times were not spared and a few classes were raided and interrupted by a thorough exhibition of our craziness. All in all, we took the chance that crazy day presented and gave ourselves a much needed purge.

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ALMA MATER DAY (Thursday) Alma Mater Day 2015 was “EPIC”. In past times, Alma mater day was celebrated on a low key with the whole celebration just being about students wearing their high school uniforms on campus. However, this year’s came with a twist and it was refreshing to see the Dean of academic affairs, Dean K, looking bright and radiant in her blue and white Jamaican uniform as well as many students and few members of staff dressed up in their uniforms and other paraphernalia.

We had breakfast high school style as students were served with cold cups of chocolate drink and egg sandwiches kind courtesy Nestle Ghana and Essentials. Later on, there was a “REP YOUR SCHOOL” inscription on the board at amphitheater which caught the attention of many students and after a few minutes, was filled with interesting school motto’s such as “Obra nye woara bo” an adage meaning life is how you live it from Mfantsiman (Syte) School and “Live Pure” written boldly by the active Gey Hey Girls.

The highlight of the day was the closing assembly session at the courtyard at 4;40pm which ended up like a durbar where students sang their school anthems, beat drums and shiied jamah.

This year’s Alma Mata day will forever remain historic!

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DRESS ALIKE DAY (Friday) Couples, friends, roommates and classmates walked together in full matching apparel in the spirit of the day. We were deeply mesmerized by the few interpretations of the concept of dressing alike.

Some people creatively embraced the concept of colour and pattern and others specially sewed and customized their matching attires. In the end, the week climaxed with basketball game between the school team and Ashesi alumni and a cake cutting ceremony. The week was a true showing and celebration of the creativity and diversity that characterises Ashesi Universities Students. It was a much needed window from all the work that the semester laid on us and the entire celebration was very impressive!

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SPONSOR

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FEATURE

Explore Berekuso (Berekuso History Project)

Photo Credit: Team 1000 Words

The land on which you trod has tasted wars, nurtured cotton and palm plantations, been the site of now abandoned shrines, and has hosted legendary characters from centuries past. Berekuso, surprisingly, is rich in history.

Brief History: The people of Berekuso take their roots from Twifo-Heman.

Nephew of the Akwamu King, Ampofu Apronti ruled over this kingdom. The movement of the Berekuso people to their present place was triggered by conflict that arose between Apronti and Okyeame of Akwamu, Obiri Koran. This conflict arose when Obiri Koran had sexual relations with Apronti’s wife. With this development, the case was reported to the Akwamu King who would review and accordingly pass his judgement.

Upon losing the case, Apronti, who was also the custodian of the town’s protective magic, packed up his potions in bitterness and left for Opetenase in the Central Region.

This did not amuse the Akwamu King as he got an army ready to wage war on the Apronti and his people.

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Fortunately, Apronti got wind of this and fled. It was a long period of escape as they passed through several towns such as Anomabu, Dawurampong, Gomoa, Nyaamamu, Ewutu, Bawjiase and finally settled at Fakwo between Obutu and Senya. Shortly after they arrived, they left Fakwo and moved to Nyanawase. It must be said however that Apronti died long before his people would reach their destination. Apronti was succeeded by 20 chiefs before the twenty-first, Nana Oteng Korankye I, led the people up the Agyangoti Hill (present day Comet Estates). Nana Oteng Korankye died at Agyangoti and was succeeded by Nana Adu Mireku I. Agyangoti was no Canaan and it brought the people a lot of hardship. During a particularly difficult dry season, one son of the late Oteng Korankye I, Amo Gyan Ntwaako went out hunting once and came across a spring in the valley. Upon returning to the village Agyankote, he informed the current chief of his find. Nana Adu Mireku I the king at the time promptly sent out a group of young men with Gyan to revisit the spring and ascertain its existence.

From there they announced ‘Bra oku no so’ which loosely translates to ‘come to the valley’. This name over time transformed into Berekuso. The spring was named Asuboade. All of these events transpired within the 16th Century.

This column will be dedicated to bringing to you facts and interesting facets of the life and times of the Berekuso people by giving you lot a tour of various sites and historical landmarks in Berekuso.

Be sure to watch this space for showcases and profiles of the various tourist sites in our dear old town of Berekuso. This has been the first instalment of the History of Berekuso series.

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PIECE

FROZEN IN A BUBBLE Wrong fingers and wrong rings.

This throng lingers about the wrong king.

The sounds hear it and the air smells it.

They both know it’s true.

People keep in line with stressed heads and spines With crumbling dreams and vanishing wishes.

Wishes of life lived, loved and breathed.

The guilt of failing and flailing in need.

The sadness of a mind rid of hope.

By dark clawing hands, uprooted in grope.

Lines slit clean and bashed in. Dead… and yet in scope.

Shameful aliases with a hissing brood of the hangman’s rope. …And yet, there are frozen glitters of a moment of peace.

What makes light special if we do not know its absence?

What is peace if there is no turmoil? …Amidst all the noise is a bubble of perfect silence.

Wrong fingers and wrong rings.

A hissing brood of the hangman’s noose.

Flashing teeth and snapping jaws.

Fifty two weeks and two seasons pass.

A breathe in a bubble.

Our hope is ours.

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FEATURE

we stand in solidarity

with our kenyan family #147notjustanumber

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CAMPUS

The F-word

by: Leon Ampah

The f-word. This whole concept may seem mediocre to the untrained and feeble mind, however to us the self-affirmed ones, the f-words runs deeper than blood. Mediocrity; at the first sound the f-word projects itself as a more polite way of using the insult or the swear word ‘fuck’, but for us the skilled minds, the f-word is forgiveness. What has forgiveness got to do with anything? Is it religious? Well no. The forgiveness I preach about is not an event but rather a process and it was established by Esther Armah, a renowned journalist and playwright. Esther had her epiphany when she in Philadelphia as a freelance journalist during the Million Woman March where she crossed swords and interacted with people. These interactions led to the initiation of #theFword: an intimate revolution, a 12-day global campaign on black love and forgiveness in an effort to end emotional apartheid.

The F-Word event began with our very own Mrs. Awuah giving the welcome address. Right after that, we feasted our eyes on a glorious display of art and talent by Ashesi’s finest. Then came an address by the star of the show, Esther, on her life and how it influenced her in the forging of the whole F-Word concept. After that, we were treated to “Forgive Me?” a captivating play written by the woman of the moment.Before the curtains were drawn, there was a Q & A session with Esther and the performers which gave the audience clarity and additional insight on the topic after which the closing address was delivered by Mrs. Awuah.

In compliance to adage, “everything that has a beginning has an end”, the program came to a climax but hopefully the message from the F-Word has stuck with us and we will be able to show forgiveness irrespective of the afflictions we face in life hereafter.

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RANT

Absence makes the heart grow … stronger ?

I’ve returned to bore you with things you do not really want to hear. So this is the disclaimer: If you do not want to read as I use The Ink as a platform to flow the garbage that has collected in my head since the last edition, then please, for the love of Jesus/Krishna/Allah/Buddha/Kweku Bonsam/T.B Joshua (you’d be surprised how many people worship him)/ Zeus/Olorun/ Olodumare/ Olofi/ Tupac Shakur/ Biggie Smalls/ Ananse/ Kanye West/ The Dalai Lama/ our very own, John Mahama, turn the page!!!!!!

I believe that is warning enough, so onwards all ye brave souls.

Everyone walks a different path.

Recently, I’ve come to understand this notion more. Being an expat kid for part of my life, I had the chance to make friends from different places. I’d meet these people, build bonds that I thought would stand the test of time. Yet, the time would arrive for me to leave. It seems as though, while I considered time, I underestimated it.

Was it Kanye West who once rapped “People in your life are seasons”?

People, like seasons, come at specific times and leave when their cycle is over.

Yep, that means a lot of the people in your life – even the ones that you will think are indispensable- will exit at some stage. The ones that you think will never leave or you would die without – they might leave. The crazy part is that they will leave and you will not die! They will leave and it will hurt. It will hurt for a long time, and you will cry, or eat ice-cream, or take the hard guy route – occasionally sending a text message or a snap saying “Chale, I dey miss you pass”.

However, the messages become more sporadic because your life is still waiting for you. You still have school, there are still girls to “ron”, boys to flirt with, soccer games to watch, parties to attend and, most importantly plenty of people to meet. There are new connections to make. Initially, when you begin to make these new connections, there will be an audible voice in the back of your head that will make you feel guilty. The voice will bash you for being so selfish and moving on so easily – “you must owe your friend more than that. Right?” The voice will tell you to do a better job holding onto them.

Inevitably, it will become more difficult to do just that. You will continue your life. You will live.

Every once in a while your mind will wonder back to the moments you shared with the person. This is the beauty of relationships of any sort. Though they end, you can keep the memories. You realise that the memories are amazing and beautiful, noticing that the half-hearted attempts to reconnect, bring to light the fact that something has changed. You risk tarnishing the beautiful memories in order to resurrect a corpse. Rather, it is easier build something anew. A new relationship – maybe even with the same old people.

But first you must let them go. Trust me, you will not die.

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PROMO

Adomaa takes us on a journey through some of Ghana's finest tunes as the years came by. Embrace the nostalgia, sing along with your favorites and dance away.

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