EXCLUSIVE:
'Oprah Winfrey invited Me, My Nephew to USA'
- Nana Adomaa Kyirekuaa, Queen of Kwahu CT (formerly Nana Yeboah)
*Says: 'I'm Waiting, Willing to Reconnect with Oprah'
*Explains: 'Americans have accepted African Culture, willing to learn'
*Narrates her African Movie Experience and Hollywood Adventures
Confesses: 'Queens don't work in Ghana, but in America you'd combine work and family'
Advice: 'Avoid drugs, Teenage Pregnancy, Pursue Education, Never Soil your Name'
Martha Yeboah is a very beautiful woman, very hardworking royal queen, an actress, a broadcaster and optimist. She is a custodian of African culture in United States. In Connecticut, CT, where she resides, this famous Cultural Ambassador from Ghana have been invited to countless talk shows, historic ceremonies and tertiary colleges across the world where she demonstrated African rich heritage. No wonder, this famous Queen of Kwahu CT is always busy round the clock. In this rare interview here in God's Own Country, she tells her story to GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU, on how she encountered America's most popular reality host, Oprah Winfrey among others.
How will you rate the Impact of African Culture in Diaspora?
African culture enlighten the people in the Diaspora. A lot of people have never seen in the diaspora the richness of African culture. As at today, a lot of people,especially African Americans wants to learn the culture
In what ways can we use culture to promote development?
There are so many ways we can use culture to promote development in Africa especially in Ghana. We have formed associations in Connecticut called KWAHUMAN ASSOCIATION OF CT to promote development in Ghana especially helping the hospitals with essentials, build libraries and schools, provide healthy water to the villages to help eradicate water borne diseases.
Tells us about your Royalty Experiences in Connecticut
My royalty experience includes advice to the newly weds, youth, marriage counseling and radio program to educate the people concerning marriage and how to raise our children in America. We also try to resolve problems between families.
Why do you wear 100% African costume wherever you go?
The costume identify me as a queen and what part i come from in Ghana. To be installed as a queen,you have an obligation to wear the costume and i am very proud to wear it.
Why are the secrets behind your regular wearing of low hair cuts?
It is part of the tradition and it is called DANSINKRAN and the also identify me as a queen.
Do you think wearing English dresses run contrary to African culture?
In my culture, it demands that everybody especially women dress appropriately.
Tell us about your passion for African Traditions here in United States?
I love the tradition and respect it because of that i take every opportunity to demonstrate the culture to people who don’t know.
How will you describe the gradual acceptability of African culture by Americans?
Truly, Americans have accepted the African culture judging from invitations i receive from Americans to showcase our traditional dance and also wants to know more about the tradition.
Can you tell us a mentor that greatly influenced your Ideology of Life?
My mother, Mary Agyeiwaa greatly influenced my ideology of life. She introduced me to the culture when I was little girl. She showed me how to dance the traditional dance and how to wear the traditional dress and how to speak in public in traditional parables.
Kindly take us through your experience in African movies in United Statesmanship
I love watching African movies especially traditional ones. It brings you closer home always and also learn a lot of traditional things from it, where I have featured in some here in United States.
Which of these movies are your best and what is the reason?
My best movie is ‘Beyond Conspiracy’ because we have to allow our children to choose their own love ones.
What is the secret of your looking young always?
Eating good diet and exercising regularly. Also, I love to smile a lot being a positively-minded person.
Are there plans for you to feature in Hollywood movies?
For sure, with my steady rise in African movie scene and cultural heritage, I am an asset in America’s Hollywood. I have got plans to feature in Hollywood movies because i believe I got the talent and that is my dream.
Can you compare African movies to Hollywood Bloc busters?
I can compare some of the African movies to Hollywood blockbusters because some of them are of excellent quality and had excellent story lines.
What are the challenges you had to overcome to remain a custodian of African culture in America?
In Ghana,a queen does not work but in America, you have to combine work and raising families. Having to bring in traditional clothes and ornaments into America was a big problem. It is also hard to wear the traditional dress in winter.
Kindly take us through your journey into America from Ghana
I was invited by Oprah Winfrey with my nephew, Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah. My name before I became a Queen was Nana Yeboah. I am waiting and willing to meeting Oprah again because God used her to bless me.
How do you think African Presidents can empower women to earn better living?
African presidents can empower women to earn better living by providing opportunities to women. I meant to say providing financial assistance to cover education, assistance to learn trade and provide small loans to businesswomen.
What is your position on regular frauds done by African politicians?
I believe that any politician who commits frauds and corruption should be punished according to the laws.
What are your hobbies and philosophy of life?
My hobbies are traditional dance and my philosophy is honesty and handwork
How about your message to Nigerian youths, women and members of International community?
My message to Ghanaian youths and members of the international communities are: they should work hard, go to school, respect their elders, avoid drugs, avoid teenage pregnancies and never soil your family name.
