In a bid to link up with Bissas across the world, Bissanewsonline (BNO) caught up with Mr Sajjad A.S Bansi from his base in Zurich Switzerland.
He share few things about himself and family, tells about life under Covid-19 in Switzerland and the toll it has had on his Business.
He also touches on the Unity mission of the Bissa world and reveals his love for Ghana’s Accra Hearts of Oak.
Born in Accra to Bansi Dad and Dabre Mum, the Fibre Optic Technician becomes our first guest to feature in this special interview with BNO’ Abdul Malik Guerm.
As we talk, he tells us how he is adjusting—and what he plans to do from his side to ensure the Bissa fraternity climbs to the higher heights.
BNO: When we announced we are going to have a Dabre Bansi from Switzerland to speak to us, a lady by Humu asked: “is it Sajjad?”. And she added you are her brother.
Sajjad Bansi: Yep that is my small mum
BNO: She is among our regular readers and was featured in our earlier picture story
Sajjad Bansi: Yeah I think I saw it.
BNO: And I remember the first time we talked was when you joined the Bissanewsonline WhatsApp page.
Sajjad Bansi: Exactly
BNO: And the feeling was great and gradually we are getting to do more on the page
Sajjad Bansi: Yea I have interest in everything Bissa. Although I can’t speak our language very well but I try my best all the time
Sajjad Bansi: That is very nice
BNO: You the first to appear on the Bissas Abroad session
Sajjad Bansi: Wow what a great pleasure. I enjoy reading articles from there.
BNO: First of all how is life in Zurich
Sajjad Bansi: Cool bro, we give thanks to the most high.
BNO: Let look at Switzerland. What can you say about the country?
Sajjad Bansi: Switzerland is one of the countries with high standards of living in the world, good infrastructure, very peaceful and I can say the most neatest country I have ever been to, its crazy to say this but some places look like drawings or art work 😂. It’s just simply amazing and oh I forgot to add the health system is very good although expensive.
BNO: For how long have you stayed there?
Sajjad Bansi: I have been living here for the past 3 years.
BNO: How would you describe life before coronavirus hit
Sajjad Bansi: Life was awesome, especially here in Europe we love to do alot of outdoor activities, talking about sports and outdoor entertainments and stuffs like that. But as you know there were so many restrictions because Europe was very hard hits. So life became a bit boring because of the lock down. Some of us had to stay home for a while and you know it was very tiring.
BNO: Well at bissanewonline everything is via internet, so we can say Covid-19 has not affected us that much. Tell us So how has the pandemic affected your business?
Sajjad Bansi: I’m a Fiber Optic Technician working in the Technology industry Network. And I have to be home for three weeks during these pandemic, meaning whiles home I have to receive 80% of my salary and this affected me in a way because I missed the 20%? Laughs.
BNO: So far what has been the progress made in Zurich as far the covid-19 fight is concerned
Sajjad Bansi: Couples of weeks ago several of the restrictions were relaxed and then boom there spikes in New infections so from 6th of July everyone who is gonna be in public places must have a mask on, failure to do so you would be fined and also some clubs and pubs have been asked to close again, and then the social distancing must be adhered to as well. So it’s like the authorities are taking measures in order not to have a second wave of new infections.
BNO: Are you married.
Sajjad Bansi: Yes
BNO: Having listened to this am tempted to ask where your families are?
Sajjad Bansi: I have family in Ghana, Europe, Asia and the Americas as well. My grandfather is the late Chief Osman Ali Dabre, the previous Bissa chief of Nima. That should tell you that the current one Chief Alhaji Mohammed Ali Dabre III is my grandfather as well.
BNO: Wow! Then you are a Dabre too, you rule Greater Accra?
Sajjad Bansi: That is my mother’s side.My mum is abre and dad is Bansi. So 100% Bissa.
BNO: How has your contact with family back home being, amid this covid-19 challenges?
SAB: Well the contact is very strong and we talk all the time on video just that the GH network mess up sometimes. Wow I’m surprised I’m saying all this because I’m the reserved type. Reserved but Open minded
BNO: (Laughs) You are talking to your own bissanewsonline
Sajjad Bansi: (Laughs) Yes I know.
BNO: So have you made any return to Ghana in this your three year stay in SZ?
Sajjad Bansi: I have been back every year to visit families.
BNO: Let look the Bissa fraternity and the aim to stay United. What do you say about the efforts being made to establish a strong bond as say in Bissa as “zekuala”
Sajjad Bansi: Let me begin by saying and I quote ” together we stand divided we fall” if you look carefully Globally every group of people who stand together seems to achieve alot of their goals let me give you a typical example of the Jews from Europe to America and wherever they find themselves there is a very strong bond amongst them.
Although they might be the minority but trust me they seems to achieve alot and they control most of the global finances this because of how they have stood together for years. This is just an example I’m giving to make my points, so if we the bissas can have very strong bond through the zekula and other wonderful initiatives trust me in some years we would be held in very high esteem and I think Zekula is a good starting point for us.
BNO: Talking about zekuala, have you met some other Bissas in Switzerland?
Sajjad Bansi: Yeah we have a zongo community here and a Bissa is our Secretary and I think apart from the Dagombas, we the Bissas dominate in the Zongo Union of Switzerland.
BNO: What about links with other Bissas in other European states like Italy etc
Sajjad Bansi: Sure why not?
BNO: So how has that been? Do u have platform like a Whatsapp linking you up?
Sajjad Bansi: Yeah Facebook and whatsapp. My sister is also a Bissa living in the UK
BNO: Then your case seems to be a bit different since you have some others siblings in Europe
Sajjad Bansi: No not that big difference. Only she and I are in Europe and we sometimes visit each other.
BNO: So in all how would you describe zekuala in abroad.How do you see the unity among those of you Bissas in abroad.
Sajjad Bansi: Yeah I have very good contacts with the Bissa brethrens here, we speak Bissa mostly whenever we meet and then talk about few stuffs about back home. So I would say the connection is good but it can get better because I haven’t heard of any Bissa association here yet.Perhaps moving forward we can establish one and with coming of Bissanewsonline’s Bissa’s abroad program, we can get a lot more Bissas to join.
BNO: You have been in Zurich for three years. I presume three years in Switzerland has given you enough experience. What will be your advice to any Bissa willing to come to Switzerland?
Sajjad Bansi: My advice to anyone willing to travel here is to get the right documentations before you come, if not there alot of uncomfortable challenges one would have to go through if you find yourself as an illegal immigrant here.
BNO: You have talked about covid-19 and you often visit home.How has the pandemic affected your return back home?
Sajjad Bansi: Fortunately for me I plan coming back getting to the end of the year and hopefully by then the borders would be opened, if not then I have to cancel the trip back home. But I had to cancel a trip to Turkey in May due to the pandemic
BNO: But let take about sports. You have made mention of you and your colleague meeting to talk about football. Let me ask which team you support?
Sajjad Bansi: Yeah Accra hearts of Oak ❤️🥰 and Manchester City are my favourites football clubs. And I was very fortunate to watch Manchester City’s Champions League game in Basel an experience I would never forget. let me also add that another Experience I am patiently waiting for is to watch Accra Hearts of Oak in a African Champions league game as well. Phobiaaaaa Never Say die I know we can do it again.
BNO: Perhaps we need to get you some other time to talk to you more about your involvement in sports.
Sajjad Bansi: I’m beginning to suspect that you are Anas Armeyaw Anas
BNO: (Laughs) Am perhaps friendly Anas . We are just doing so for Zekula purposes and to tell our own stories.
Sajjad Bansi: (Laughs) But let me say that is very good, I would my best for you to grow as well I’m gonna share it everywhere.
BNO: You have seen the havocs caused by the Covid-19.What will be your advise to Bissas far and near on the virus?
Sajjad Bansi: It’s quite unfortunate that some people are really not taking precautionary measures, but as you and I can testify during these few weeks or months, we hear news of deaths on regular basis unlike it’s used to be. This should tell us that we are not on normal times anymore. So please people should take extra care of themselves and their families, please follow all the procedures to be on the safe side.
BNO: And what will be your last statement to the Bissa fraternity both home and abroad?
Sajjad Bansi: To my bissa brethrens, this is the best time we need to unite and form stronger bonds just like our ancestors did and take it a top notch further so that generations after us would continue this great Bissa legacy and culture.
BNO: Well Mr Sajjad A Bansi, it’s been wonderful having you. On behalf of everyone at Bissanewsonline, Thank you for making time with us.
Sajjad Bansi: It’s a pleasure and I really appreciate your good works to project the Bissa brand. We will support you by sharing your good works to the Diaspora as well. Bravo! good job mehnnn!
Below are some few images of some special place in Switzerland we received from Mr Sajjad Bansi
Boring to read. Summarise it next time