Author Kuukua Yomekpe Gratitude, grief, reflections, Social Commentary

Caged Bird

So Mama Maya has been gone less than a week. Back home, we'd be getting ready to sit down for the traditional one-week ceremony and decide Things. I just found out the Wake is on Saturday, but that it is private. The compromise though is that it will be streamed. It's amazing how some folks … Continue reading Caged Bird

Author Kuukua Yomekpe reflections, Social Commentary, stories

A Woman’s Lot In Life?

Would his wife be willing to meet me? Find a baby-sitter for the kids and join us for dinner? The two bigger issues that remained undiscussed were the fact that 1) I could go out and stay out late because I was single and had no children and 2) our Ghanaian society makes it pretty darn clear on who stays home. It’s lenient such that married men can stay out late if they like and rarely have to answer to anyone. And no one thinks ill of them for socializing with other women while their wives stay home. My “going-dutch on everything” feminist self went out the door as I graciously accepted the spread before me and ate my way through a 150 cedi meal with my ex and his best friend, a fellow classmate, also married I should add. Throughout the meal, I wondered whether he splurge like this on his wife? Whether he would he still ask to hang out with me if I was married? Was it easy because I had no one to answer to? Would this change if I did?

Author Kuukua Yomekpe publications, Social Commentary, stories

Excerpt from Memoir (“Arrivals Hall at Kotoka”)

The line was long and winding with no sense of which traveler was next. Some had defied the carry-on luggage requirements and this defiance was spread haphazardly around them. Ahead of me were two men, hands and faces a few shades darker than mine who kept eyeing me suspiciously as if questioning my presence in … Continue reading Excerpt from Memoir (“Arrivals Hall at Kotoka”)

Author Kuukua Yomekpe Gratitude, grief, Love, reflections, Social Commentary

Hello 2014

As a kid death came early to me. My maternal great-grandmother died when I was seven. I have very little memory of being with her but stories abound of how mischievous I was as a kid and how I used to hide her rosary and prayer-books and watch gleefully as she searched for them. They … Continue reading Hello 2014

Author Kuukua Yomekpe Interviews, reflections, Social Commentary

An Interview I Gave

Interview with Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah of African Women's Development Fund ******* NS: How did your journey as a writer start? K.D.Y: I started scribbling on pieces of paper at around age 8 or 9 after my abuse. I think it was a way to deal with the chaos in my head and body. I continued with … Continue reading An Interview I Gave