Habiba Stone, the Social Media Queen of Nima.

Growing up in the Zongo, we all have someone we look up to, we all have someone we aspire to become. Often they don't know we are watching closely, but we trace every bit of their lifestyles be it good or bad.

Habiba was a smart little girl who gave her parents hope. Because of how smart she was, they believed she'd grow up to become successful. They agreed to invest in her education leaving her other two siblings to help at home. It was a necessary sacrifice for the parents.

Habiba completed primary school with a very good grade, she was the talk of the community among her peers. Her parents prepared her for Junior High, made sure she lacked nothing as far as her education is concerned. They also made sure her Saturdays and Sundays were utilized by attending Islamic School.

In Junior High, Habiba kept proving to her teachers why her parents sacrificed the education of her siblings. Habiba was not a typical Zongo girl, who'd find a moment to play no matter what. Her name was stamped on the tongues of the community but her image was an imagination, for many didn't know how she looked. She was an indoor person in a community where 'everyone knows everyone'.

Habiba Stone completed Junior High and was adjudged the overall best student. She became the cover of most of the newspapers as a young lady from a deprived community making the nation proud.

The President of the nation requested to meet her. An opportunity no child from the community has ever had. She became the heroine of the community.

After meeting the President, it emerged that she was given scholarship through to the University. Habiba was carried around the community with powder all over her face and body. Many struggled to catch a glimpse of her for the first time. Many parents were waving their 'mayafi' (big veils) in celebration. A little boy shouted from a rooftop "Habiba Stone!" There, others started shouting "Habiba Stone, Habiba Stone, Habiba Stone."

It was a month after the celebration and Habiba was to be prepared for a boarding school. She is attending a Senior High. To keep in touch with her, her parents must get her a phone. They managed to get her a cheap smartphone at Kwame Nkruma Circle. The phones sold in the shops cost more than the ones held on a plate by the streets.

Habiba Stone in her first semester in Senior High was still the Habiba Stone in primary and Junior High school. She was breaking records and setting new ones.

Habiba Stone in her second year found another classroom called Facebook, where she was learning a whole lot. Both good and bad. But she carved a niche for herself. She could crack jokes using mathematics. And that earned her thousands of following and engagements. Her focus was turned on Facebook, she had little time for learning, her grades started falling like a ripe Mango but the sounds could not reach far to enter the ears of the parents. They hardly visited her because they thought she was okay since they never missed sending her food items and money.

Habiba Stone's newfound fame got her into night clubs, people could easily recognize her when they meet her at the night clubs and it's selfies upon selfies.

The news got to the parents with pictures to prove. Her mother fell to her knees upon seeing the pictures. The father was mute for close to five minutes. Sorrow clouded their hearts. The sacrifice they hoped would pay huge in future paid earlier with nothing.

Habiba Stone, the Social Media Queen of Nima

(the conclusion)

The news got to the parents with pictures to prove. Her mother fell to her knees upon seeing the pictures. The father was mute for close to five minutes. Sorrow clouded their hearts. The sacrifice they hoped would pay huge in future paid earlier with nothing.

The information of what had become of Habiba spread beyond the community. Some people said she was involved in prostitution, others said she was also into hard drugs.

Habiba's parents decided to let her come home and never return to the school. They lost interest in her pursuing higher education. It was a difficult decision considering the investment and sacrifice. But they thought it was the best.

(What would you have done if you were the parents of Habiba?)

Two strong men from Black Survival sitting base at downside were sent to bring Habiba home from school without prior notice to her. They were led by Habiba's father. When they got to the school they were told Habiba had left the previous night and had not returned. The father, Abdul Basit, felt demoralized, he could not help but shed tears like a newborn baby who was pinched. The two strongmen, Asylum and Digo held him up to console him.

They decided they'd stay until she comes back to the school but the headmistress pleaded with them to go and that when she comes back, she would inform them so that they can come back.

Habiba's father did not want to go back home without Habiba, so they went to the Zongo community in that town and asked for a place to sleep since a stranger can never be stranded in a Zongo community. They were received well and were treated as if they had come from that Zongo community. Their host (after giving them food to eat and water to bath), Masu'd inquired the reason they came to the town. Habiba's father narrated the issue to Mas'ud and asked they pray to God to hear his cry. Whilst at that, Habiba's father's phone rang and it was the headmistress who called to inform them Habiba had returned.

Abdul Basit could not wait till the next morning but thanked Masu'd and quickly left with Asylum and Digo. They arrived at the school 30minutes later and were lucky to find Habiba.

Habiba was finally brought home. No one cared to know why she changed 'overnight'. A decision was made and nothing will change the decision not to get her back to school.

Habiba was made to stay indoors even when she pleaded to be allowed to get back to school. "I will keep you at home rather than to let you bring shame to our name," said, Abdul Basit, "But you and mom never believed me when I told you of the situation back in the boarding school, you did not give me a listening ear. You labeled me a liar. Why? I found comfort in others, but they ended up exploiting me" said Habiba.

Abdul Basit had to think deeply about what his daughter said, "Maybe I was wrong for not listening to her, just maybe. Could it be true that she was indeed raped by the teacher?"

Habiba's father got the police involved to investigate the issue which led to the arrest of Mr. Kofi who allegedly raped Habiba. The headmistress was also questioned for trying to cover up when Habiba reported the issue to her.

Habiba's parents apologized to her and asked that they send her back to school, but she refused and proposed to learn at home for WASSCE, her parents did not argue, they allowed her. Habiba successfully sat for WASSCE and again Habiba proved her worth by becoming the overall best student attracting many organizations to support her education.

Habiba's parents made a promise to always be there for her physically and emotionally no matter where her aspirations take her.

??Zakiyu Iddris Tindannayil (The Proud Zongo Boy)

#TellingtheZongoStory