Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif

Just like every election year since 2012, today, Friday, December 4, 2020, there will be a peace pact signing. John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, flag bearers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) respectively are expected to sign a peace pact today ahead of the 2020 general elections. The elections will take place on Monday, December 7, 2020. This peace agreement is meant to give an assurance that the two political party leaders will ensure their followers don’t resort to violence before, during and after the elections. Since 1992, when Ghana was ushered into democracy, the country has witnessed relatively peaceful elections till date. Relative because though the country has not sunk into severe chaos yet, it has always experienced some level of violence. Vigilantism has enveloped this country to its core until a serious stance was taken against it, post the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence in 2019. Needless to sa

My name is Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif, I am a northerner but that doesn’t necessarily translate into a vote for John Dramani Mahama, the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress, NDC. What’s your name? What tribe are you? Please, don’t vote for tribal alliances, vote for practical ideas. Over the years, there have been a pattern in Ghana where people vote for tribal reasons. In this election, that must stop. Thirty (30) days to Election Day. What has your incumbent Member of Parliament done to improve your communities since the last election? Better still, has he fulfilled his promises to your communities or is he/she playing games with you? Is there an alternative? Can you trust the alternative? Are his/her promises realistic? Does he indicate the practical process to fulfilling his promises or does he/she just rattle for the sake of it? Sometimes, you should try acquainting with the angel you don’t know instead of sticking with the devil you know. Are you tied to a partic

Leaves falling Opportunities dropping Yet, we're rolling When the rains came It swept away all the dust The old was prunned And all was renewed The land was green again Bearing fruits of all kind Lots of grains Looking graceful Testimonies abound in the dryness What was once barren Is now fruitful Like the Phoenix We rise from the ashes          YUSSIF AHMED IBN YUSSIF           ahmed.yussiph@gmail.com

The joy of motherhood Starts from when you first hold your child I’ve heard many women describe how all the pain Of childbirth vanishes once you hold the child What if you don’t get to hold The child What if the child passed away before birth Can you imagine the pain Pain upon pain For months, whatever you will do To heal the vaginal pain, Reminds you of your loss No comfort No comforter Only sorrow Pure sorrow What can anyone say To ease your pain Until another child arrives You’re in constant turbulence Imagine it was your first pregnancy No other child to ease your pain The joy of motherhood Turned otherwise How do you heal from the loss of a loss How do you force yourself To forget At least for a few minutes or hours People have known pain I have known pain But there is no pain worse than the pain Of a painful loss  Ignited by vaginal pains It’s just so painful               YUSSIF AHMED IBN YUSSIF                ahmed.yussiph@gmail.com

I looked in the mirror I didn't like what stood before me Didn't I just smile What about that seeming hearty laughter to that silly joke The mirror showed my insides My heart bled My heart looked at me And bowing down, smiled It looked pale Far from the happiness my lips exhibits It looked dark, reddish and grey From all the unspoken pain it harbours I couldn't believe it All the people I met today Would think I'm so happy And healthy Yet, here I stand The mirror exposing my sorrows Maybe the mirror is my truest friend He knows me, inside out My sorrows and otherwise Yet, here it is, standing by me Telling me that my feelings are valid If I showed you My dark side Would you stay If I was rough towards you because I felt rough and broken Would you stay Maybe you'd just think me arrogant Would you listen to my whinings Without complaining How can I show love When I can't feel love I can't give what I don't have

She was the figure God built The Eve I have yet to meet The home I longed to belong Then the skies opened And like magic She popped out I stared Long enough to sin She moved into oblivion Unaware of the enchantment She just emanated I watched as she turned the curve Swallowed by the cluster of buildings I longed for a second look The conversations are short But fulfilling The meetings are accidental Yet very satisfying The love that surges through my veins The adrenaline rush The sudden shiver The quickened heartbeats Why Make me understand Love is a person Home is a person A single glance And I found a home in you To the tiniest element at the bottom of the sea And the faintest of the sky I love you I love you I love you.......                 YUSSIF AHMED IBN YUSSIF                  ahmed.yussiph@gmail.com

I’ve seen backs and boobs I’ve seen heights and hips I’ve seen it all Including my favourite Big eyes But I didn’t fall for them I’m not one to break rules But you made me I broke my rule I broke my back But you were a stranger I wonder what you Will make me do When we become family From fraternizing to fondling to family Weird But I will take it After all, you broke my rule without knowing I’m not a believer of love at first sight I’ve seen backs and boobs I’ve seen it all Including my favourite Big eyes But I didn’t fall for them But you came by Big/moderate back, well, yes But my favourite Big eyes, no So why? Why? Why did I have to fall for you the way I did I couldn’t believe myself I will cheat on you if we get together There is one thing I can’t compromise on Big eyes To me, they are the most beautiful part Of the human body You can have all the awesome Qualities in a person But

It's raining Waists swinging Hands wrapping Legs crossing Mouths sounding Layers creaking Pores sweating We are at work                              Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif                    ahmed.yussiph@gmail.com

The earth tremored And we trembled Because we've gambled And fambled Over time Last night, parts of Accra And the central region experienced earth tremor Who felt it Did you feel it What were you doing And how did you react? I wonder if any high ranking state member felt it And what they must've thought Earth tremors have happened in Ghana before But like everything else We didn't take it seriously No emergency response No measures put in place In case it happened again We just sit by and look on Why If last night's tremor was any dangerous What would've been our response We would have been sending our thoughts and prayers To the affected families and individuals Yet, we put no measures in place to mitigate the damage Enough condolences Let's take control                YUSSIF AHMED IBN YUSSIF                ahmed.yussiph@gmail.com

The day you walked into my life I felt love So much love It was overflowing My life is simple Complicatedly simple Overflowing was too much So I doubted it I doubted you Because you were to much The love was too much Little did I know that you were genuine As frank as it can get My experiences limited us I limited possibilities Of an intriguingly exciting life Filled with overflowing love I sabotaged us I won’t do it again Not to you Not to anyone You have shown me that life is full of possibilities Ones we haven’t yet envisaged But I’ll let my imagination save me from today forward Thanks for your love                     Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif                     ahmed.yussiph@gmail.com

On June 23, 2020, we will all know whether or not the old voter ID card would be a means to getting on the new register. The Supreme Court would decide on which tangent to tread. But, are any of the two possible outcomes any safer? Walk with me. The Supreme Court would either strike down the argument of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) or it would disallow the usage of the old voter ID in the compilation of the new voter register on June 30. The Electoral Commission of Ghana calls the old voter ID fruit of a "poisoned tree.” But are they entirely right in their argument? The old voter ID was after all what brought Nana Addo to power though compiled in an NDC era. What if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the NDC, would that be shooting ourselves in the foot, considering the arguments of the EC? But would ruling in favor of the EC also disenfranchise some Ghanaians? The EC as of now would accept the Ghana Card and passport as means to getting on the new register. A

When Ramadan came I was rude to no one Except one My rude Friend, Ruth I rarely got angry Except when it's blurry My siblings got the best of me Unless when I'm being meme But Ramadan is leaving Who will I be Will my new lovely self also leave Or can it still be I smiled often Spoke less Prayed more Learnt more scripture Than in forever Who will I be When Ramadan leaves Angry face Intolerant Stingy Reluctant to pray I want to prey Not on anyone Ya Allah I seek your face After Ramadan fades Guide me Straighten my path Grant me patience Provide us with abundance We have your assurance But we sometimes face defiance Ya Allah You're the most merciful Grant us bountifully Even when we behave pessimistically Ya Allah Ramadan is leaving But You're not leaving We are only human We are full of faults We seek your help That which sustains us Guide us toward You Ya Allah Forgive us You're the ever forgiving You love to

She slipped Got slapped Gave up Never quit She prayed Got preyed Never stopped Gave all Then she flaked Keeping faith Flourishing figure She, a fragile firm faith Buoyance She was swallowed Never wallowed Keep faith Don't flip It's fated And fate, through patience And prayer Changes                     Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif                     ahmed.yussiph@gmail.com

In the deepest of the darkest forest I perch Faced with calamities of the unseen The birds flutter The dry leaves rattle I am silent I am silent But all is dreadful All is noisy My head is exploding Earthquake under my feet But the earth swallows me not The spring flows above me The quietness of the streaming stream The benignness But I am botched I feel disproportionately inadequate Nature finds me adequate It admires me But I dread me I feel hollow I feel ugly But nature thinks I am awesome Is nature blind No, I think not The waters flow It doesn’t run That’s why Stop it, please It hurts my soul I feel my soul It’s burning with unquenchable rage My whole fiber on fire As though I stand in the desert sand Drowning Help Help Help comes not All I hear is my own voice The trees stand by Unconcerned Unperturbed Why Tell me why I’d run but the road is foggy I’d stay but the trees begin to fall My dilemma Run, die Stay, die My dilemma

With a wrinkled smiling face He gulped down the puke Then Allah made a face The devil became a punk The palm of the needy Is a vessel of tremendous blessings Don't think them bottom feeders Exhibit the generosity of  feeling blessed For Allah put them in your path Knowing where you pass Charity is a part of the straight path Don't take a pass Ramadan is moving away Don't get swayed in the fray "Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and (they who) have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, as they will have a noble reward." Quran 57:18                       Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif

Ramadan is in its second phase Downward be your face The next 9 days Bow down to the everlasting And increase in your prayers Take pride in His proofs No more pranks He is just above your roof Increase in your sujood Before the third ten days Of invigorating tahajjud To supplicate the Al-Majid When my servants ask of me I am near, He told me                              Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif

Are you really ever shocked at something? Really Chances are you just heard the news And you are beyond shocked You can’t believe it But you sure can, right? Your words, ‘Really? why now? Why him and why so soon?’ But are you as shocked as you express Or you’re just frightened that it could have been you My name is Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif And I just passed away This is my eulogy Read by me on my own behalf The truth is we are always shocked that someone has died As though we would ever expect someone to die We never really expect death And every time it walks up to one of us, we cry wolf But should we? Death is an inevitable reality One that we can’t ever avoid So maybe we should stop expressing shock at its arrival Quran 3:185, 15:99, 21:35, 29:57, etc all assure me that every soul will taste death And I don’t doubt it, not for a second So, why get shocked at what I expect Don’t be shocked, be prayerful And keep me in your prayers While I am gone I don’t

Dear Khadija, I know it’s your first too Believe me, I know it’s not easy But take heart and make dua’a For Allah listens to His servants Tears roll down Hands tremble Even the most arrogant Becomes humble The month of Ramadan is here again Rounding us up in faith The month of mesmerizing mercy The month of gigantic joy The month of perplexing peace The month of relaxing remembrance The month of all Godly goodness There is both peace and turbulence in my heart Why This is my first My first Ramadan without my father My first suhoor and iftar without him I am a believer And I believe and pray he is in a better place with ALLAH Here is to all the people experiencing their first of same and others You’re not alone Let’s pray and ask for forgiveness for our departed loved ones For our Lord, ALLAH assures us He is the most merciful and ever forgiving Ramadan Kareem Ramadan Mubarak                        Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif

The moon sighting struggle, huh Ha! Well, Insha Allah, Ramadan is upon us again For us, Muslims, Ramadan is the most sacred month It comes with some peculiar perks that no other month brings Ramadan, the month that we respect The month that we retrospect The month that we radiate The month that we are relatable The month that we are refreshing with goodness Ramadan, the month that we act The month that we are active with good deeds The month that we are absolutely adorable The month that we abide by almost all religious and worldly rules and regulations The month that we are bursting with affirmations and awesomeness Ramadan, the month that we meditate The month that we make amends The month that we are mindful The month that we motivate The month that we beam with mercy Ramadan, the month of acta non verba Ramadan, the month that we are dispassionate Ramadan, be acta non verba Ramadan, the noble month Let the observers of the noble mon

Well, Congratulations You’re afraid of the one thing that is certain in life Ha!! (Not funny) Seriously? Are you telling me that in your personal life, You have never experienced any turbulence that (to an extent) equals The world’s current predicament Sure, that was on a personal level But this is also personal Isn’t it? Tell me you would be as much terrified if COVID-19 was still just news to you That it wasn’t yet in your country Taking people by surprise You would be concerned for others but…….. Really? Panic buying Lockdown Nope…. Not this much I once wrote that ‘life sits on a pendulum of balance A life springs and a life shrinks’ But now, too many lives are shrinking within a blink of an eye The world is on its knees But it will rise again I am a believer And Allah tells me in the Holy Quran that He will not burden a soul beyond its capacity And not once but twice, on a row He tells me that, there is ease after every hardship To some extent, ever

My religious beliefs sidestepped Not a good idea, I know But let’s do this Some say it’s the end of the world I say, maybe it’s just the beginning of it Maybe God is preparing a whole new generation to take over I mean, there are scriptural connotations to suggest so But, …………………….. Fill in the blanks I want to see my friends again I miss them People are dying People are dying Some have recovered and others are still recovering Some are also getting sick We are to practice social distancing Self-isolate Quarantine It’s a whole new world of superficial practices I see two possibilities Maybe, this new world is perpetual Maybe it’s just temporary Even if there comes a cure for this claw-clenching, deadly fisticuffs punching coronavirus Can we really come back to our old selves What if we are to remain this way to prevent getting infected Sure there may have been a cure for it But would you risk getting infected I pray this w

I wasn’t always happy Hell, was I ever happy But I have come very far in life God has been good to me If I wanted to be happy, I read If I ever wanted to be sad, I read If I wanted to cry, I read Books were my sole companions Until Rachael, Ruth and Khadija invaded my life Even at that, I connected with books more than I connected with some of them But you, You are the kind of person I have always fantasized about Your laugh Your smile Your style of speaking The fun you bring Your fictional way of approaching conversations Your intuition And above all, your love for reading You’re intelligent, smart, witty, 'freakish', beautiful and friendly There is something about you that makes me love you more than anything I know I haven’t known you very long But respect and love for someone is irrespective of time and space Even if you didn’t think so much of yourself Know that I think so much of you And I want you to be happy

With her last droplet of kerosene She lit the lantern Looking for a glimmer of hope But the wind, unaware of her intense inner prayer Blew the lantern off The light is off The kerosene is finished All there is, is pitch darkness And a deafening silence In the darkness, she raised her eyes and hand to the skies And said a silent but fervent prayer For the scripture says; “And seek for help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive (to Allah). Quran 2:45 She sought the face of her Lord Hope and faith are the elixir of life These are trying times And we need to do all that is within our capacity And also seek the face of the Lord For He alone is the ultimate modifier of destinies Don’t despair Have faith that there is a God who controls the affairs of man Have faith that there is a higher authority Who is ever forgiving and merciful Action, hope and faith This too  shall pass Corona

You know how they tell you to avoid the things that trigger you to sin or go wayward? What if you are your own trigger? How do you avoid yourself? My name is Yussif Ahmed Ibn Yussif I am a Muslim But I am also an addict Anyone who really knows me knows that I would never criticize anyone based on morality Because I am no different I am somewhat morally corrupt Because of my addiction Well, my addiction hurts no one It only hurts me I’ve tried to stop it for so many years now But my efforts have been futile Because I always eventually go back to it I have always wanted to talk about it Well, I have talked about. Three individuals know about my addiction I told these people because I felt so lonely and very scared And I also did because I wanted their help to break my addiction Unfortunately, telling them about it made no difference I am still an addict And I want it to stop I’ve been an addict for more than a decade And I want it to