OMT's Digest

Be Inspired

Interview with the fabulous Sinnibah

Sinnibah is not new to the OMT train , from helping me with editing to posts feedback to guest blogging. Her last contribution to the blog, was on facing criticisms and judging in haste . She is passionate about photography and you can explore more of her works on Instagram @artsy_sinnib .What I love about her is her level of candidness in all my interactions with her. I was privileged for her to grant me some few minutes of her time to chat about being an unemployed youth after University and the pressures of getting married as expected by society at a certain age.

Enjoy the read!

“I will not rush it. Everything in this life has its own time. When it comes, it comes. And when it comes, I will so love to want to end up with a friend, so that when “love” is lost and when the “storms” come we can sail the strong winds together. Until that special friend comes, I will continue to live my life like its golden and sing Daddy Lumba’s “yentie obiaaaa”.”
@artsy_sinnib

Q: Tell us more about yourself? Who is Hannah Sinnibah Tiigah?
This question! I always have a challenge answering this question. I am never sure what answer the person asking expects, lol. Anyway, in two words, I’d say unique and awesome!

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“The beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science” ~ Albert Einstein Image Credit: @artsy_sinnib

Unique because I am like no one, no one is like me and there is only one of me in the world, lol. For starters, my name is Hannah Sinnibah Tiigah. The name in itself is unique. Not that there is no one called Hannah or Sinnibah or Tiigah but the combination of letters of each name, the arrangement and the definition of the name makes me unique. I am very proud of the name because not only does it rhyme, each name contains a double alphabet and they all end in “ah”. Also, according to the Bible, Hannah “means”, a good and prayerful lady and through that God’s favour came upon her and her family. Sinnibah, (ok…please, I am a Kusasi from the Upper East Region of Ghana but let me issue a disclaimer first, if what I say the meaning of the name is, is not accurate, then those who told me are not accurate themselves) means, in the Kusasi dialect, “don’t mind them”; and Tiigah (refer to disclaimer above) the name means “big tree”. Combined, my name means “Good and prayerful lady”, “don’t mind them”, because, you are destined to be a “big tree”. Although “big tree” is quite figurative, I know you get it. What is more unique than this?
I believe I have the “wow factor”. I believe I have an awesome personality. I am bubbly, easy go lucky girl and generally happy. Of course, I have my flaws and I try to work on them, because all in all I want to be the best version of me. I know I can be controlling, bossy, annoying as hell, indecisive, moody and sometimes exhibit the extreme of the two human character traits (introvert and extrovert). And I mean really extreme. I am very much a talkative and outgoing as I am quiet and private. Whatever the personality, I believe that be happy! You will be amazed at how your cheer could brighten your surroundings and this can create a domino effect on whatever you do.

Q: I know after school it took you a while to get your dream job. You managed some jobs in between but you still believed in your dream. What kept you going?
I have always wanted to worked as a foreign service officer, diplomat or even an international civil servant. It has not been easy, at all. What kept me going was perseverance and faith. That was what I wanted and nothing else. My national service job with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration was a real eye opener, and as you will imagine, this ignited my passion for the job. So, I applied in 2010 but eventually got called up for an examination and interview in 2012 and got employed in 2013. Of course, my excitement knew no bounds because in between, although I was working at the time (jobs that were fulfilling), I applied to institutions where I thought I could pursue my dream career. Unfortunately, they either did not respond or responded to with a “no vacancy at the moment” notification.

“And irrespective of whatever job I got before my current job, I worked with passion, courage of conviction and strong sense of self. I believe that these are key ingredients to be successful wherever you find yourself (whether it’s a dream job or not).”
@artsy_sinnib

All the same, I still worked, did something useful with my time to get me some cash, until my current job came my way. And irrespective of whatever job I got before my current job, I worked with passion, courage of conviction and strong sense of self. I believe that these are key ingredients to be successful wherever you find yourself (whether it’s a dream job or not).

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“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new”. ~ Albert Einstein Image credit: @artsy_sinnib

Q: How is it like living in different environment out of Ghana? How are you adjusting?
Eye opening and insightful. You know the saying “travel and see”? Exactly. You get to appreciate everything, from nature to societal and cultural differences between your home country and where you find yourself.
I have an adaptive nature, so I adjust quite easily and quickly when I travel. Besides, I love travel and adventure, seeing new places, experiencing different people, environment and cultures.
So, I am adjusting just fine, what am I even saying, I have adjusted.

Q: How different is your environment from Ghana? What do you miss about Ghana?
Very different! I am currently in Bern, Switzerland. The Swiss are very prim and proper. For someone like me, I love this society because it makes it easy to organize my life and time. Everything is systematically regimental! If you don’t like being organized, you will just pass through the country, the country will not pass through you.
That is not to say Ghana is chaotic, but I admit we have our own challenges as a country, which I believe we are continually resolving. Ghana is unique. There is this air of freedom you feel when you are in Ghana that you do not feel anywhere.
There is nowhere like home. Home is where the heart is and always will be.

Q: I know personally I have been mounting pressure on you to focus on a blog or write a novel because of your natural writing skills but stopped when I realized you had started an Instagram account with focus on photography. Tell us more about your new found love for photography.
Lol…Honestly, I did not know my prowess in writing until you begun to push me to publish. I love to read, write and edit. I started to write at a very young age. I kept a private journal as a young kid. I think that helped. However, like I said, it was private, so publishing was a really big deal. And besides, work was taking the better of me, so I slowed. However, I still do write when I get inspired to do so.
I love photos, whenever I get the opportunity, I take photos, photos of everything including me, lol. I created the IG account on the advice of a friend who saw my photo gallery. He said I could use my photos to tell stories, my stories, more like a pictorial journal, especially now that I do not write as much. So really, it is an extension for my love for writing.

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“Beauty is like a flower, which wrinkles will devour” ~Thomas Nashe Image credit: @artsy_sinnib

I usually have to research quotes to caption the photos appropriately and it is a different kind of exciting feeling for me. I have begun to perfect my photography and photo editing skills so I can take my photography to another level. I intend to make a meaningful art business out of it, frame the photos and sell.
I love nature and spontaneous shots from wherever in the world I find myself. My account is a fine blend of these and photos of myself. It’s a new account so I am hoping to gain followers who appreciate good photos and photography soon. I would encourage you to visit the page and follow. The handle is @artsy_sinnib. I am sure you will love the photos.

Q: We don’t talk about this, but I know in our society there will be pressure on you to settle and marry. You are one hell of a strong girl, what advice do you have for other ladies who are forced to settle just to please society. How do they brave through it and maintain their stance?
Well, I don’t know how I stay strong amidst these pressures. Thankfully the pressure at home is minimal so “I am managing”.
Outside home, the pressure is real. And if you have been as promiscuous as I have, then your case will even be worse because when you fail at love, the common phrase you will hear is “that is why you are not married”.
For me marriage is anything but a trophy for being old or an achievement. So, I have adopted the “when it comes, it comes” attitude. I cannot kill myself because the society expects that all females a certain age should be called Mrs. In any case, what is the percentage of divorces these days? Having a partner is good, do not misunderstand me but these days, marriage has been reduced to wedding ceremonies and how many children a woman can bear. And I do not want that for myself.
I will not rush it. Everything in this life has its own time. When it comes, it comes. And when it comes, I will so love to want to end up with a friend, so that when “love” is lost and when the “storms” come we can sail the strong winds together. Until that special friend comes, I will continue to live my life like its golden and sing Daddy Lumba’s “yentie obiaaaa”.

artsysinnib 4
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~Charlie Chaplin Image Credit: @artsy_sinnib

Live your life and love yourself, until you are able to do that, you cannot genuinely love someone let alone ending up as a couple. Pressures will come but do not bow to them until you can genuinely tell yourself that you are ready to be with the person you want.

Q: Lastly what advice do you have for young ladies out there?
Determination, perseverance, patience, passion and affability will open doors.
Also, never forget to LIVE because you only have one life, LAUGH because it costs nothing, LOVE because you are loved, PRAY so God is always in your heart and FORGIVE so you can be set free and so God can forgive you.
Lastly, never underestimate the words PLEASE, THANK YOU and SORRY. They work when you least expect them to.
PS: If you leave me, I will keep talking but I do not want to bore you with written words. Four pages only, I have tried paaaaa…I hope you enjoyed reading.
Hopefully you will get to hear my voice soon.

ginta-regular

meybi-regular

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