The Ummah

He didn't grow poor, he didn't grow rich
Sometimes, Yawmul Eid he had only fish
His ambition is to be a Muallim, to teach
But as he was growing, he faced remiss
Was he successful? let the ummah answer this

Every weekend, it`s loud on our streets
On a second thought, the pieces of cloths they`ve bought
Could have bought books and prevented the F9 he got
But instead, we chose looks over books
He couldn't go to college, so he joined the crooks

He was just a juvenile in his prime
With no desire in cyber-crime
What he needed was wasted like leisure
So he reached for the keyboard to amass treasure
Let our leaders answer this

The ummah, the ummah, the ummah
What if we had our own Madaaris and clinics
Why don't we leave our slums and join the discussions
Let us not remain unheard critics
Else, when the battle gets tough, we will find no medics

Are you shia, sunna, tijaniya? yes! but we`re Muslims
We were the scribes in Africa yesterday
But what are we today? we can`t say!
To see us united with suawtun wahid is what I pray
IQRA, the quran says, Read !

To the rest of the juveniles that remain
Like we feed our tommy, lets feed our brains
Lets put up our umbrellas before it rains
Many have tried in different ways
But let these rhymes and words bring the change

THIS POEM IS FOR THE ZONGO COMMUNITY, I JUST CAN`T SAY ANYMORE WORDS. PLEASE READ AGAIN !!!

@fahd_mahama

How Far With Me?

I was formally matriculated into Ghana Institute of Journalism (G.I.J) on Friday 18th October, 2013. I have already written two letters to my father; a poem and an article, which I know very well that he cannot read (likewise my mother)… heehaw. My siblings are so busy in and outside Ghana working extra hours to support my education, so they seldom or don’t read my blog.

But I am sure of one group which will - My Friends. So this article is basically for my True friends, Facebook friends and Acquaintances. To let them know how far with my schooling.

We’ve had our Akwaaba Week Celebration, during which we had a cooking competition among halls, Mr. and Miss Akwaaba contest, sports activities, a tour of the Republic of Togo, and an after party at a nightclub, among many other activities. I was more of an observer as any filmmaker would. Fashion dominated the whole ambiance. That week was all about having fun.

You might think of this as absurd but I love being in the library than in class. Because I feel at ease reading language-literature and psychology books, for as long as I want to, than sitting for 2 hours to listen to lectures. For now, I am concentrating on books that will improve my writing skills. So I chose to borrow a writing skills book every two weeks. Even though I have passion for Film-making, I have intentionally ignored books in the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences’ shelve. “I need to be able to write well before I switch on lights and camera” I told myself the first time I saw a book titled studio photography.

I am still in a state of oblivion about what the subsequent weeks, months, semesters and years would be like (academically and socially). I have so far been able to secure few roles with regards to student/club activities. Least of them is the position of Electoral Commissioner for my class.

Fortnight after I started school, I became a reporter for Keteke. It is a news reporting club on campus and I am the first and as at now, the only fresher to become a member of the editorial board. I was introduced to KETEKE by Gabriel Obodai Tobgor Ashong; the GIJ-SRC General Secretary. He and some executives of the club cited my poems and articles that I posted on GIJ-Facebook groups and thought that I could be of use to the club. So they looked for me and gave me an assignment which had encouraging feedbacks so far. He also introduced me to GBCs Curious Mindz.

On Saturday October 20th, around 9am, I was fast asleep resting after reading the previous night. Then a phone call woke me up. “Hello Fahd, I recommended you for media and publicity committee under GUPS……….and so I want to hear from you if you accept the offer.” Fusena Aziz (level 300) the local GUPS Treasurer spoke. You don’t expect me to say “No” do you? I went to AUCC campus in Adabraka later in the day to be sworn in at the General Assembly. I became a member of Media and Publicity committee under the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS). We’ve had our first meeting as a committee and I was commissioned the Assistant Editor of the unions’ tabloid - The Professionals.

I chanced on the position of the General Secretary of Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA)-GIJ. The secretary was a Diploma 2 student who resigned because she was preoccupied with her project work. Some executives and some few members unanimously voted me as the new General Secretary at the mosque where she declared her resignation.

Now, you know what outside the classroom looks like for me. As for the inside- it is hot. But I am sure to come out as safe as a bakeware if I do what I am supposed to - to study.

Maybe not all that I watched in Suncity on GTV was real. Because I am not enjoying a boy’s perceived social life of a university. Partly because of fiscal reasons but it will get better soon. I am working on getting the least necessary equipments needed for me to unleash my Filmmaking talent. Since I cannot afford a DSLR Camera or an Apple Workstation, I am concentrating on my writing skills because, for now, writing is cheap. All I need and pray for is a sound mind, strong body, divine guidance and blessings.

Ladies? The beautiful ones outweigh “the others.” but they all look good in their own way anyway. I sometimes wonder what their perception about university is. “Is it a fashion hub or a knowledge hub?” I ask myself when I see some of them. Sometimes I wonder how long it took them to make-up. I think some spend a whole day thinking about what-to-wear or look-like for the next day. But there are some simple serious ones too.

I do not know of other campuses but in GIJ, There are a lot of clubs to join and a lot to learn and earn. But the most important thing to do is to be associated with a club whose orientation has something to do with what you want to do after school. This way you can be ready for life beyond university.

As a former student stated in his blog post, “everybody knows everybody” because the campus is not as big as Legon. I make new friends (from any level) almost every day and I am especially getting appalled by remembering names and taking phone numbers.

“Education is what you present when you cannot find your certificates.” Zain Quotes said, remember? So I want to improve my creative-writing before I turn 20 next year in April. I have you all (family and friends) at heart. Read my blog; fahdmahama.blogspot.com. And pray for me like I do for you. Because we are all on the same hustle.

@_fahdmahama

Auntie Adiza Tells Her Story

I wrote this while in Senior High School and was published in NEWS-ONE NEWSPAPER and ONLINE at news1ghana.com on the 7th August, 2013 . 

“My Brother, My Friend I love my brother, my brother loves me. My friend, my hero, he always will be. In sundry ways our uniqueness is clear. He likes to go far, but I favor near. He likes to play sports and being outside. I prefer play music and playing inside. Sometimes we fight and scream at each other, but he is my friend for he is my brother.” Michele Cobb quotes  

One day, Auntie Adiza was in her kitchen preparing food for lunch. She was cooking “jollof-rice” with cabbage stew. It was the stew her kids loved the most. The food would be ready in about thirty minutes and all she had to do was to cover it and allow it to warm a little. 

All of a sudden, she heard voices from her sitting room and she quickly came out of the kitchen. 
“What is it?” she asked. 

Ali was holding a television remote at one end while Amina held the other end. They were trying to pull it from one another. 
“Give it to me” Auntie Adiza instructed. Ali pulled it from Amina`s grip and gave it to their mother. 

“It’s okay” Auntie Adiza said while taking a sit on a sofa beside the television. “Sit down my children”, said Auntie Adiza. Ali sat on her right and Amina sat on her left side.

Auntie Adiza was a cheerful plump woman with a round face. She did not take any corporal punishment on her kids to correct them. Despite her giant stature, she only looked at any of them when the person is doing anything wrong and without saying any word you could feel the disapproval. Ali was slim and stood tall. He was two years older than Amina; who was ten years old. Amina stood as tall as Ali but was fatter than him. They both attended the same school and always quarreled with each other.

“My children” Auntie Adiza said. 

“In every relationship, there are ups and downs. When there`s a fight it helps both parties to know the likes and dislikes of one another. This would make your relationship stronger".

"When I was in Secondary School; which is now Senior High School, I had a friend called Rukayatu. She was called “Ruky” for short. We both lived in Nima. I always went to her house to go to school together. When it was time for lunch at school, we eat together. We also did homework together and explained things to one another; things we did not understand".

"day it was time to go home and I was finishing my class work at the same time. Ruky asked me to leave it for the next day else we will miss the “trotro’’. I was so engrossed and I did not give her attention". I was solving mathematics and it was my best subject’’. 

“Which school did you attend?” Amina Interrupted. 
“Presbyterian Secondary School-LA” Auntie Adiza answered and continued. 

“It was a very nice school and I loved everything, the atmosphere, teachers, students, and 'Sir Sammy' the gate man. The Headmistress was very inspirational. Her name was 'Shine Ofori'. Miss Shine brought a lot of development to the school, the three storey building in front of the computer lab, renovation of Science Laboratory and brought good teachers to the school”. 

“Please mum, continue the story” Ali intruded. 
“Oh where was I?” Adiza ask.  
“You were doing your class work and…” Ali replied. 

“Yes! Mathematics! I loved mathematics and I was engrossed in the work so much that I did not pay attention to Ruky. She got angry and left. Before I finished my exercise, she was already on the bus which take-off as I was getting close to it. I had to walk home which took me about an hour. I felt guilty and worried".

"The next day I went to her house and I was told she had already left for school. At school she did not talk to me. I tried to talk to her and let her know how sorry I was but, she did not mind me. I could not eat at lunch and it was guilt all over my face. Later in the day she approached me and told me to let go everything and that she overreacted. I told her I was the one to be blamed".

There was a smell from the kitchen and it meant that food was burning. 
“Let me go and check on the dish I will continue later. Wait for me at the dining table” Aunti Adiza said
Ali and Amina got up excitedly and running to the table on the other side of the room. They seemed as if nothing had happened. When their mother came out of the kitchen holding their favorite meal, it was as if they were injected with joy. Ali was hitting the table with a spoon and Amina singing some weird song. Auntie Adiza placed the food and started to serve them. She lamented “I don’t want to see you quarrelling anymore ok” 
“We won’t mum” they both replied. 
“Mother, continue the story” Ali reminded. Auntie Adiza smiled and said 
“Well, we forgot the past and became friends once more”. 

Fahd Mahama

@fahd_mahama

A LETTER TO MAHAMA

I saw a hand passing to me the admission letter I bought and filled, with the same picture and my handwriting. I was very confused that night and could not wait for morning to come. When it did, I woke up quickly and without taking my breakfast, I set off to come to GIJ to check the admission list. After careful scanning, I saw my name and ID.

I was uncertain as to whether it was my name or not. I doubted the dream I had. Was I rejected or accepted? I’m very sure it wasn’t an Admission Letter I saw. 

Finally, my mind came to a halt from its cruise. I recited fatiha three (3) times and without looking elsewhere, I turned to go home. Even as I was walking home, I still doubted my eyes.

I wasn’t so excited until the day we (level 100s) were being oriented. I sat quietly in the Upper Lecture Hall, observing the atmosphere; I could tell from others faces, they can’t wait to get into the classroom. But I was thinking more than that. 

I was thinking of the possible connections I could make throughout my four(4) years stay in the school; meeting the right people and acquiring the necessary skills which will help me become a better writer and ultimately, a Filmmaker. This thought triggered me to pick my black pen and jotter to write a poem. My first lecture was Language and Study skills.

It has been approximately, two (2) weeks since I started University; GIJ. I have realized that truly, everybody knows everybody. Lecturers and students are like keys and piano. Friendliness and mutuality characterizes every setting. I could hardly distinguish a fresher from a continuing student. The SRC executives are not megalomaniac as one would have thought. The same applies to clubs and halls executives that I have met so far.

Apart from the summer hut, wireless internet and the round to clock neat environment, one place that interests me the most is the Library. 

I have passion for reading. Seeing a wide range of books from shelve to shelve, and from psychology to photography, has refueled my curiosity to want to know. I wish, by the time I finish my degree course, I would be able to read all of them. But unfortunately, it’s not reasonable.

Also, I have realized that, in GIJ, they don’t just train students to be journalists as I have heard; Even though I never believed because they don’t understand what journalism really is.

Students are trained to be communicators. So, it depends on individual interest and ambitions.
 
Read my blog; fahdmahama.blogspot.com as I take you through a journey of my four (4) years in Ghana Institute of Journalism and life beyond university. If you are a fresher like me, I wish you a successful academic journey.
 
Thank you!

@fahd_mahama

First Day @ School ( a poem )

#A_Letter_to_MrMahama
Daddy, I`m now a student of GIJ
That, which I prayed yesterday
Is now reality, not play
Now I`m so gay

My dream of becoming a writer
and ultimately, A Film-maker
is now around the corner
Praise is to Allah

I know you`re proud of me
Future is vague, let`s wait and see
what it`s going to be
But prepare for a joy spree

Like the bee and honey
My name and Success tally
Pray for strong mind and body
For now, and all of life`s journey



First day at school was too exciting. I`m yet to write an essay to tell you all you need to know. I might end up writing a book about my University life. Who knows?
but don`t forget to read my blog always
I wrote this poem while was waiting for Orientation to start.
  

@fahd_mahama