How my classmate became my ‘mother’

I don’t remember how we became friends. But, I guess, it was not surprising we struck that friendship especially when we were both classmates at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) from 2011 to 2013.

We read Diploma in Communication Studies and later, from 2014 to 2016, we sat in the same classroom again to read Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (Journalism option). During our diploma days at GIJ, I was new in Accra and had left my job as a professionally trained teacher to pursue my heart’s desire – journalism. I told myself I was going to legally cut off my source of funding as I quit teaching and I did just that.

Once, together with a colleague teacher, we went to the education office in the district where I taught, and we closed my account. This was when I had gained admission to study at GIJ, and what this decision meant was that hunger was to be my friend for a long time until I found some job to do while schooling.

Opposite the entrance of GIJ (the old campus) sat some eateries. One of the food vendors sold banku and groundnut soup and together with a friend, Felix Aning Amankwah, we ate from there on credit. If by Friday, what we considered the ending of the week, we had money we go to defray our debt. Then I realised my friend, Dzifa, was someone I could confide in. She knew my story and she was willing to bring me food, on-campus, from time to time.

“Daavi,” so I call her, “can you bring food to school today?” I would ask before I set off for class.

She knew what sort of food I had asked for. Banku it was. That food could sustain one throughout the day. Unlike “This Way Chocolate Drink” which requires hot water, all I needed was somewhat chilled water after eating Dzifa’s homemade banku.

For many of our colleagues who didn’t know that daily survival was my topmost priority and the bond that existed between me and Dzifa, the worried observers’ only concern was whether I was dating her or her friend Beatrice. But here was I – minding my business. The survival instinct was so crucial that, at times, getting 20Pesewas to pay to use a public toilet in my neighbourhood was a miracle.

I have told this story before and it is only worth repeating it especially as you celebrate your birthday today. You have been one fantastic lady I have known so far in life.

You may not have provided me food every day but even if it was once, you did what Napoleon couldn’t do. By feeding me, you became not my classmate but a mother.

May you, on this day, grow from strength to strength. And may you never lack in health and financial prosperity. Let’s keep the faith for one day when I become like Aliko Dangote – my role model, I wouldn’t mind dashing you a mansion. Until then, “awoda pa oo!”