The past weekend has been an emotional one for me. I graduated, after 4 years, from Ghana Institute of Journalism with a B.A. Communications Studies.
The reason I say it was emotional for me, is that it was a very reflective moment for me. I was deep in thoughts about the exhilarating highs, the almost-depressing lows, the jitters and uncertainties, and how they all summed up to victory.
As cliché as this may sound, this journey (and eventual triumph) has been made possible by God. Like, nobody can take that credit.
It never occurred to me how much of a privilege and blessing it is for me to be able to acquire education, until my final year. As much I am thankful for this testimony, I really hope that it steadies your faith in God as it has mine.
Let me share with you a few things that have become more etched in stone for me:
•God Provides
(Cue in Tamela Mann’s “God provides“🎶❤😭)
When I was a little girl (I know some people will roll their eyes here..lol), one of the things I thought about once in a while was, “university school fees.” I don’t know why though. The old currency (at the time) also made it sound so huge; “15 million cedis, 20 million cedis, these figures made me feel someway.
I mean, I knew how much my mother made and every single coin that came her way, so it’s seemed impossible to me, for her to afford to take myself and my brother through tertiary education. But God is faithful.
If there’s one thing that has stood out for me, it’s the nature of God as a provider. (Jehovah Jireh❤).
So chill, as long as it is in God’s will for you to do something, don’t let money be a hindrance. Commit the journey into His hands and He will send you helpers.
•Find your tribe
These 4 people especially (Bridget, Lovelyn, Dede and Raphael) have played a huge role in my life. It’s amazing how random certain things seem to be, yet in God’s eyes, are very intentional. So here’s the story of how we met; first day of school, we (Level 100E students) were all “packed” into one hall. It was filled to capacity, there were no more chairs. A lecturer walks in, asks us to introduce ourselves, one after the other. My friends (then strangers) and I were all standing at the back of the class, basically being rascals (i.e. laughing at people who were woefully failing at speaking with a foreign accent, etc) . 3 out of the 5 of us also happened to be in the same study group.
From being there for me when my father passed away in 2015, to staying up to explain lecture notes to one another, reserving seats (even on graduation day; side-eye, Bridget…lol), and calling each other out on our BS, I would not trade what we have for anything.
School, for me was “somehow” (I don’t know how to explain this); but finding people to whom I could vent out to and share my challenges and good news with (even if they couldn’t relate) without feeling or saying that I was overreacting made the whole journey worthwhile. (Thanks, Chantelle😍)
•It will end in praise. #WontHeDoIt!!!💃💃
(Cue in “He Who Began a Good Work in You” by Steve Green)
So on the first day of my final exams (May 4, 2019), precisely 12:29pm, I was involved in an accident.
How I left the accident scene, made it school and wrote the paper still baffles me.
It just reinforced the saying, “If God has brought you TO it, He will carry you THROUGH it.”
School has not been a rosy journey for me, but here I am, with a degree bagged!!🎉🎈💃 If God has said it, then He definitely meant it. And if He meant it, He will surely do it.
A very big Thank You to my mother, brother (and father❤). Also to the Scholarship Board of Central A/G,C 4 , Compassion-Ghana (Community 4 Child Development Centre), my friends, my lecturers (especially Paul Herzuah, Desmond Lamptey, Mr. Tindi, my sports journalism and Intro to Public Relations lecturers *i cant believe I’ve forgotten your names already *🤦🏿♀️) , Dr. Brobbey (Final Project work supervisor), study group members, and final project work group members, thank you very much.
Your prayers, funds and words of encouragement are much appreciated. God bless you abundantly!!❤
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Sidenote: Are graduation ceremonies this big a deal? I ask this because some people were mad at me for not informing them, so that they could come support me. Out of my friends, I was the only one who came alone, and they found it so weird how I could come for the ceremony alone.
No worries, I’ll give prior notice for the next one, so that y’all can book your flights ahead of time. 😚😉
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LET’S CATCH UP!!
So from now onward, I’ll be sharing what I’ve been reading, watching and listening to; I hope you find something useful in there.
•CURRENTLY READING
I have about 30 books (all e-books) to read, but where is the time?🤷🏿♀️Also, my eyes have been begging me to slow down (cos I’ve been staring a lot at my phone screen). I’ve started reading a book titled “PS, I Love You” by Cecelia Ahern.
334 pages, 51 chapters. I’m currently on page 37, and all I can tell you is, it is an emotional read. Here’s the summary of it:
“A young married couple, Holly and Gerry, have a joke between them: If anything ever happened to him, he’d have to write her a list or else she’d never be able to cope without him. “The List” grew to encompass advice for any eventuality, a joke all their friends shared. When Gerry’s severe headache is diagnosed as brain cancer and Holly tragically loses him in a few short months, she is devastated and unmoored. She hasn’t just lost her husband, she’s lost her very identity. And then it arrives: a package marked “The List.” Gerry has kept his promise, and inside this package are ten envelopes to be opened over a period of ten months. Each letter offers specific instructions to guide Holly through grief, and ultimately grant her permission to return to life. Of course each letter ends with PS, I Love You.
The novel includes a cast of raucously funny and memorable characters, including Holly’s best friends and four siblings who range in personality from the pink-haired world traveler Ciara to stick-in-the-mud Richard. Set in Ireland, the book has a wonderful Irish atmosphere reminiscent of Maeve Binchy and Marian Keyes. PS, I LOVE YOU is a warm, witty, heartfelt and romantic story about the blessings of friendship, family and the eternal nature of true love.”
•CURRENTLY LISTENING TO
My playlist, at the moment is a “lovey-dovey kinda stuff”..lol
3. Simi ft. Adekunle Gold – By you
CURRENTLY WATCHING
1. Dimma Umeh (Nigerian blogger, Content Creator, and YouTuber in the beauty, lifestyle and fashion industry)
2. Brotherhood; Ring of Fire (The Brotherhood, directed by Kemi Adetiba is centered around a league of extraordinary gentlemen, who have made their mark as powerhouses across different industries in Nigeria, coming together to share their experiences with the hope of helping those coming after them while also countering the myth that says “African men do not share their feelings.”
It’s divided into 4 sections ; ‘The Hustlers Assemble’, ‘The Five Men of Faith’, ‘The Original Creative Mavericks’ and ‘Ups and Downs of The Everyday Man’). You’ll love it, trust me.
Kafui Debss 