Geraldine Sinyuy Steers Her Ship towards Ghana and Spolights Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen, a Rising Voice Whose Words Seek to Heal, Awaken, and Give Life to Untold Stories

Geraldine Sinyuy:  What inspired you to become a writer?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: My inspiration to become a writer came from realizing that words have the power to express what the heart sometimes cannot say. Growing up, I noticed that many people carry untold stories, hidden emotions, and silent battles. Writing became a way for me to give those feelings a voice.
I am inspired by real life experiences, human resilience, and the beauty found even in difficult moments. For me, writing is more than creativity. It has a purpose. It allows me to heal, inspire others, and remind people that their stories matter and deserve to be heard.

Geraldine Sinyuy:   At what age did you start writing and what was the easiest genre for you at that time?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: I started writing at the age of 15, right after completing my BECE and preparing to enter senior high school. It was a period of transition in my life, and writing became a space where I could freely express my thoughts and emotions. Poetry was the easiest genre for me at that time because it allowed me to pour my feelings onto paper without restriction. Those early poems helped me discover my voice and laid the foundation for the writer I am becoming today.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  At what time of the day do you find more inspiration and energy to write?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: I find the most inspiration and energy to write during quiet moments, especially at night when the world is calm and distractions are few. There is something about the silence that allows my thoughts to flow freely and my creativity to deepen. However, I have also learned that inspiration does not always wait for the perfect time. Sometimes it comes unexpectedly, and I welcome it whenever it arrives. Stories often reveal themselves in the most ordinary moments.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  How do you manage social media distractions and your writing career?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: Managing social media and my writing requires intentional discipline. While social media can be a source of connection and inspiration, I make sure it does not take away the time meant for my craft. I dedicate specific hours to writing and limit distractions during those moments. Writing is a priority, not something I do only when it is convenient. Balance is important, and I continuously train myself to choose productivity over distraction.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  Can you describe what your writing workspace looks like?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: My writing workspace is simple but meaningful. I do not depend on a perfect environment. What matters most is having a quiet space where my thoughts can breathe. Sometimes it is just me, my notebook or device, and a calm atmosphere that allows creativity to flow. I believe writing begins from within, not necessarily from where you sit. As long as I can hear my thoughts clearly, I can create anywhere.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  How do you manage your other responsibilities and still find time to write?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: Like many young people, I have other responsibilities alongside writing. Balancing them requires discipline, planning, and a clear understanding of my priorities. I organize my time carefully, setting aside dedicated periods for writing, studying, and other obligations. Writing is part of who I am, so I make space for it even during busy days. Every task I manage and every challenge I face deepens my understanding of life, which ultimately enriches my writing.

Geraldine Sinyuy: According to your context, what are the most trending issues in present-day literature as far as human rights are concerned?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: In contemporary literature, human rights themes are becoming more urgent and visible because writers are responding to global struggles and injustices. One major trend is the defense of freedom of expression, with many writers exploring how voices are suppressed and free speech limited. Other trends include the portrayal of war, displacement, and the refugee experience, highlighting the human cost of conflict. Literature is also examining gender equality, discrimination, and social justice, giving voice to those affected by inequality. Overall, literature today is a platform for reflecting on human rights and encouraging empathy and awareness.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  Can you tell us which of your works brought you to the limelight of the literary circle? Where can we find your books?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: As an emerging writer, every piece I create contributes to my growth and visibility within the literary space. Some of my poems and reflective works have especially resonated with readers because of their emotional depth and relatability. These writings have helped introduce my voice to a wider audience and positioned me as a storyteller who writes with honesty and purpose.
At the moment, I am actively working toward publishing more structured collections and books. While my upcoming works are still in development, my writings can be found on my social media platforms and literary spaces where I share my creative pieces. This is only the beginning of my journey, and I am excited about the many stories I have yet to bring into the world.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  That’s quite brilliant. What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career as a writer?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: The most important lesson I have learned is that consistency and honesty matter more than perfection. Early on, I worried about writing well enough, but I realized that authenticity is what makes a story resonate.
Writing requires patience. Challenges, rejection, and self-doubt are part of the journey. But every word I write brings me closer to growing as a writer and touching the lives of others.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  It is said that a writer is the voice of the voiceless. Have you written any piece that calls for justice?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: Yes, I have. One example is a poem I wrote about children and young people who face neglect, rejection, or lack of opportunity. Through my words, I wanted to highlight their experiences, inspire empathy, and encourage society to pay attention to their needs. Writing about justice does not always mean addressing grand political issues. It can also mean speaking for those whose stories are often ignored.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  Thank you for that remark, Ayisha. What advice would you give to a young aspiring writer?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: My advice is simple: start before you feel ready, and write honestly. Do not wait for the perfect moment or the perfect words. Your voice is valid now, and the world needs it. Read widely, observe life closely, and never be afraid to express your thoughts. Consistency beats inspiration. Show up for your craft, and your voice will grow stronger with each word.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  How does your community receive human rights-related literary and artistic works?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: My community is gradually becoming more receptive to literary and artistic works that address human rights. Many people appreciate when stories or art shed light on experiences that are often overlooked. While not everyone is used to engaging with such topics through literature, heartfelt works spark conversations, inspire empathy, and encourage reflection on justice and dignity.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  That alone is already a significant degree of influence. Have you ever felt threatened in any way due to the kind of writing you produce?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: Yes, I have felt threatened at times because of the nature of my writing. Writing about injustice and sensitive issues can sometimes make people uncomfortable. But instead of fear, it strengthened my resolve to write responsibly, tell stories that matter, and use my voice to inspire awareness and positive change.

Geraldine Sinyuy:  What else would you like to share with us?
Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen: Writing, for me, is more than putting words on a page. It is a way of understanding the world, giving voice to the voiceless, and connecting hearts across experiences. Every story, no matter how small, has the power to inspire, heal, and spark change. My commitment is to write with honesty, courage, and empathy. I encourage everyone, especially young people, to embrace their voices because every story matters.

Ayisha Mandeiya Nurudeen is a young Ghanaian writer and a raising voice in emotional storytelling and a transitional poet rooted in northern Ghana. She was born on the 13th of July in Tamale, a city where the sun greets the earth with an unrelenting heat, and the markets hum with life from dawn to dusk. From my earliest memories, she was a child who watched, listened, and asked more questions than she probably should have. Her family wasn’t rich in material wealth, but their home was full of stories, lessons, and the kind of love that made you feel rooted even when the world felt wide and uncertain.

School became Ayisha’s first window to possibilities. She attended Tamale Senior High School, where she chose Applied Science as her course a decision that seemed practical at the time, yet also reflected her curiosity about the life around her: the soil, the plants, the rhythm of seasons, and the delicate balance of nature. Even then, she carried a quiet dream inside her, one that seemed impossible to name: she wanted to become a writer.

Stories were alive in her mind, stories of people, of unseen struggles, of moments small and extraordinary. Ayisha knew from early on that writing would be the way she spoke to the world, even if no one listened at first. Growing up in Tamale shaped more than just her education; it shaped her understanding of the world. The markets, the dusty roads, the laughter and cries of neighbors they were all part of a living classroom. She learned resilience, patience, and the quiet strength of women who carried families, hopes, and traditions with the same hands that served food or swept the compound. It was here, in this mixture of sun, soil, and stories, that she began to find her own voice. Not loud, not commanding, but persistent, patient, and unshakably hers.

As she grew older, Ayisha’s world expanded beyond the walls of her home and the familiar paths of Tamale. Teenage years brought with them new responsibilities, new friendships, and new challenges.  She began to understand the complexity of people; their joys, their pains, and the choices that defined them. Every interaction, every story she witnessed, became fuel for her writing. School remained a steady rhythm in her life, but it was in the quiet corners of the library and under the shade of trees that she truly learned. She would sit for hours, notebook in hand, observing the world around her. Sometimes she wrote about friends and classmates, other times about strangers whose faces carried unspoken stories. Writing became her way of making sense of life, a way of capturing fleeting moments before they disappeared. It was also during these years that she began to share her work. At first, only a few trusted friends read her stories. Their encouragement, simple and genuine, gave Ayisha courage. Each word of praise, each thoughtful question, reminded her that her stories mattered not just to her, but to others who were willing to listen.

There were setbacks, too. Rejections, misunderstandings, and moments when she felt invisible tested her resolve. But she learned resilience, the kind that only comes from continuing despite fear and doubt. Every challenge became another story, another lesson, another reason to write. By the time she finished Tamale Senior High School, writing was no longer just a quiet dream; it had become a calling. Ayisha had learned that stories were not just words on paper, they were bridges between people, between experiences, and between worlds. And she knew that, in whatever form her life took next, she would carry this calling with her, wherever she went.

After finishing high school, the world seemed both vast and uncertain. Responsibilities loomed family expectations, the need to contribute, and the pressure to make practical choices but her heart was still tethered to words. Writing was no longer a private escape; it had begun to shape the way she saw life, the way she responded to people, and the way she dreamed about the future. She sought opportunities to grow, even when the path wasn’t clear. Each time she shared a story, it was a step into vulnerability, a test of courage but it also reinforced a quiet truth she had long suspected: writing was not just what she did, it was who she was. At the same time, life demanded practicality. She explored different avenues, projects, and studies but writing remained the constant thread weaving through every choice. The challenges of balancing dreams with reality were real, but each challenge also taught her patience, discipline, and persistence.

By the end of those formative years, she had learned that becoming a writer was not about waiting for the perfect moment. It was about starting where she was, using what she had, and trusting that persistence would carry her forward. There comes a moment in every becoming when the girl who once searched for light realizes she has started carrying it. For Ayisha, that realization did not arrive loudly. It unfolded quietly; through courage she did not always know she possessed. What began as a private refuge in words soon stretched beyond her. She found myself creating spaces where other voices could breathe, nurturing a community of writers bound not just by creativity, but by vulnerability and expression. In that space, she was no longer just a girl writing through the night. She was becoming a bridge, reminding others that their stories deserved to be told.

Leadership found her in ways she had never carefully planned. Being recognized with the Lepage Metaverse Global Leadership Award was more than an honor. It was a mirror reflecting a truth she was still learning to accept: that influence is not always about volume. Sometimes it is about quiet consistency, about showing up, about daring to begin even when you feel unseen. Yet, if there is a calling that beats closest to her heart, it is her advocacy for women empowerment, justice and gender equality. Perhaps because she understands what it means to grow in spaces where a woman’s voice must sometimes fight to be heard. She has believed, and will always believe, that when a woman is equipped, encouraged, and seen, she does not rise alone. She lifts others with her. Through mentorship, creative engagement, and skill-based initiatives, she has sought to contribute, even in small ways, to a world where young girls recognize their strength earlier than she did. These milestones are not the conclusion of her story. They are evidence of a journey still unfolding. For she is learning that achievement is not always measured by applause, but by the lives touched, the doors opened, and the courage to continue becoming. And so, with every step forward, she reminds herself:

“I am not just chasing dreams.

I am growing into the woman who once needed someone to believe in her.

Still, I became.”