CNN and Kezia are first cousins, writing partners, actors, producers, directors and great friends. Their first significant encounter was in 1983 when the Lokko family (residing in Accra) visited the Awadzi family (residing in Tamale) for the Christmas holidays. Against the odds — there was a significant age difference between the two girls, and travel and communication between Accra and Tamale was arduous — a relationship was formed. One that would have a significant effect on both lives.
From the first visit, Kezia, CNN and their siblings put on theatrical performances for their parents during the holidays. Over the years, CNN and Kezia and their siblings had additional opportunities to stage drama performances, especially in the latter part of the ‘80s when Kezia lived with the Lokko family for a year. However, as they entered the 1990s, during which time CNN was a teenager and Kezia had crossed over into womanhood, the two met on rare occasions and did not keep up with what was going on in each other’s lives.
Kezia was the first to leave for college. Fortuitously, CNN would attend the same college. Years later, they would shriek in surprise when they learned that while in college, they had both been active participants in the University of Ghana Literary Club and church groups—coincidentally, as writers, directors and actors.
The bond between the two grew closer when Kezia was in the PhD program (Florida) and CNN was doing her master’s (Pennsylvania). They shared their struggles and triumphs in graduate school, and when CNN enrolled in a PhD program, the duo had even more reasons to bond. They eventually realized that they both considered writing to be their true passion, and though their professional career paths, were in areas outside writing and theatre, neither was prepared to let go of that area of their lives.
Kezia talked a lot about writing a novel about the experiences of leaving home and acclimatizing to a new culture. Till then, CNN had only written plays and was not seriously considering writing a novel. Post-graduation however, as CNN apathetically sent out application letters, she began to think she should be as brave as Kezia and attempt a full-length novel.
They both set out on their writing journey, occasionally working simultaneously into the wee hours of the morning. They shared each completed chapters with the other, critiquing and encouraging each other throughout the journey. The process became competitive; each, wanting to be the first to submit another complete chapter. Kezia gravitated toward novels for adults while CNN had a passion for young adults. That collaboration bore fruit: CNN completed “Adventures of Elizabeth Sam” and the first book of the “Trinity High” series, “Trinity High: Partners in Crime.” Kezia completed “African Girl”, which would eventually be accepted for publication as two novels.
In 2014, Kezia suggested working on a joint project together. They had each lost a parent, CNN (her mother in 2010), and Kezia (father in 2011). Being cousins, they had not only lost a parent each, but an aunt and an uncle. The two began the novel “Changes”, that would capture their struggles, and celebrate the role of friendship in going through the hard times. They used a synchronous writing tool (Google Docs) to write the novel in a blog format. As usual, the process was fiercely competitive, each writer trying to outdo the other and raise the quality of the writing to the next level. The exercise was a test of their creative and teamwork skills. It was hard work and fun, yet a heart-breaking experience, as each writer had to relive the loss she had experienced in the recent years.
Not long after “Changes” was published by Booktango, CNN and Kezia delved into another joint project, this time collaborating as writers, actors and co-directors using the video medium. They developed the “Aliens!” series, a YouTube drama series that is based on bizarre and comical experiences “aliens” face in the U.S. Since they started “Aliens!” in 2015, “The JEKA Team” (as they call themselves), have used every visit to act, direct, produce, and/or edit an “Aliens!” episode.
In early 2017, CNN had an opportunity to chat with Kofi Jacquaye of My-Star Radio on another matter, and got to learn about My-Star Radio and its vision for Africans living outside the Continent. This was a serendipitous discovery that was right up the JEKA Team’s alley! This opened a new door to the team when CNN and Kezia were given the privilege of collaborating with My-Star Radio on the “Yankee Wahala” series.
CNN and Kezia are very excited about this next step in their Creative Arts journey; exploring the medium of radio, using a genre they both absolutely love—theater!
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