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Kuukua Eshun: Telling impactful stories through art, creativity
After discovering her poetic and writing potentials at an early age, she was perhaps not certain where the road may lead her.
However, with consistency and dedication over the years, she is currently making a mark in the creative space and looks forward to achieving more on both local and international fronts.
The spotlight, in this edition, is on fast-rising Ms Kuukua Eshun Ghanaian-American filmmaker and storyteller whose productions have been screened at film festivals across the world.
Her film, “Artist, Act of Love”, released in 2019, recently won an award at the Worldwide Women’s Film Festival for ‘Best Visual Effect’ and was selected by the European Union for the 2020 European Film Festival.
Background
Kuukua was born in Accra but lived the greater part of her life in the United States of America, where she studied Arts and Science at Columbus State University.
She returned to Ghana recently and is working on other promising projects that would augment the works of the relatively few women filmmakers in the local creative industry.
In an interview with The Spectator, the 27-year-oldexplained that storytelling had been one of her preoccupations ever since she was in high school but decided to pursue it professionally about three years ago.
“Ever since I was young, I have always known how to express how I feel through words. Before I started film, I was doing a lot of writing.Whenever I was upset, sad or happy, I would always write it in my diary.
“It got to a point where I thought I could turn my words into film.”Film making gives me the ability to see my strength and it gives me a lot of freedom,” she noted.
Filmmaking
Taking inspiration from “emotions and femininity,” she is focused on raising awareness about social issues through her writings and film.
To this end, she said, a documentary on sexual violence would be screened in Ghana and Europe in December this year and was expected to empower women who had survived sexual assault and encourage others to overcome their “worst experiences.”
The director cum producer described filmmaking as a “calling” and considers it a way of expressing herself and sharing her story with the world.
Projects
Prior to releasing her award-winning ‘Artist, Acts of Love” film, she had already released a short poetry film titled:“Stranger to Your Seed,” which attracted positive reviews on her YouTube channel about two years ago.
Another “Experimental Short Film” labelled: “Wake,” was also released about two weeks ago and was gaining some traction on the same channel.
“Artist, Acts of Love” which talks about “feeling and knowing love” is described as “a romantic escapism for people who love deeply.”
Currently working with popular actress and producer Ama .K. Abebrese, Kuukua considers herself “a powerhouse who would continue to tell stories that matter through her art and work.”
The creative filmmaker had, in recent years, worked with top brands such as Roc-nation, Vic Mensa, Wizkid, Huawei, Facebook, Variety Magazine, Michaela Coel, Lifetime TV, The Economist,among others.
Advocacy
As an advocate, she has spoken on university platforms in the United States, Ghana International School, and many other conferences, but has recently collaborated with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana, to hold a healing session for young women who are survivors of sexual assault.
Her articles have been published in some international magazines and website as well as published in the ECA Literary Magazine, Apple News, Ghana web and many more.
Kuukua is the co-founder of Boxed kids, an organisation which provides education to deprived children at James. She said the organisation, in spite of challenges, continued to impact the lives of about 50 children in the community and continues to attract the attention of other well-meaning organisations and individuals.
Her vision to create“a safe space for women in sports” againled her to join other partners to establish an all-female skate crew in Accra known as the “Skate Gal Club.”
Skate Gal Club, among other things, seeks to build the confidence of women, educate women about sport and change the perception about women in sports.It organises community events and has so far taught about 200 girls the basics of skateboarding.
The club, according to the team, is currently crowdfunding the creation of Accra’s first dedicated skate park to “avoid frequent clashes with the police and some members of the public who see skating a nuisance.”
By Ernest Nutsugah
Aurora Commodore-Toppar believes in mentoring others and creating opportunities for people to thrive, emphasising that teamwork is key to success. For her, fulfillment comes not only from personal achievements but also from seeing others grow and succeed.
A devoted wife, mother of three, farmer, entrepreneur, and committed Christian, Aurora embodies the balance of faith, family, and service. Guided by values such as hard work, integrity, determination, justice, passion, and fairness, she lives a life anchored in principles that inspire those around her.
Aurora credits much of her success to a strong family support system and her ability to plan wisely, even managing her leave days to allocate time for work, farming, and family. “Proper planning and a supportive family have kept me going,” she says with a smile.
Early Leadership and Multitasking
Aurora’s leadership journey began long before her professional career took off. As a student, she learned the importance of structure and multitasking through unexpected lessons in water management, which she fondly recalls as the foundation for her discipline and organisational skills.
A Promise Fulfilled
Perhaps the most remarkable chapter in Aurora’s journey is her fulfillment of a long-standing promise to God. Before her Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2000, she battled a serious health challenge and vowed that if God healed her and helped her complete her education, she would give back to her alma mater, Aburi Girls’ Senior High School.
Years later, upon visiting the school, she was disheartened by the state of the old basketball court, which also served as a car park. Guided by faith and a proactive spirit, she spearheaded the construction of an ultra-modern multi-purpose basketball court. The facility not only provides a safe and inspiring space for sports but also serves as a potential source of income for the school through community rentals.
Inspiration Through Sports and Life Lessons
Aurora views her service as part of her journey toward self-actualisation, drawing inspiration from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. “In sports, you win, lose, or draw. These lessons translate into everyday life, teaching us to learn from our experiences and those of others,” she reflects.
Faith, Family, and Entrepreneurship
Aurora attributes her strength and values to her parents, mentors, and key professional influences. Beyond her professional commitments, she finds peace in farming crops and livestock, spending quality time with her children, and exploring creative hobbies such as bead-making and producing fresh juices. These hobbies eventually birthed her entrepreneurial venture, Pamkat Ventures. “Pamkat was born out of leisure time,” she explains.
A Life Philosophy
Acknowledging the demands society places on women—from marriage and motherhood to career and home management—Aurora remains grounded in faith. “It only takes the grace of God to get to the top,” she believes. Her family—a loving husband, two intelligent daughters, and a promising son she affectionately calls her “future president or minister for defence”—remains her greatest source of inspiration.
Her life philosophy is simple yet powerful: “It’s okay to dream big, but don’t let it remain just a dream. Plan it, act on it, and make an effort towards it. You don’t need titles to achieve anything. Once you are passionate about it, go for it.”
Through her acts of service, mentoring, and unwavering determination, Aurora Commodore-Toppar continues to inspire others, proving that when passion meets integrity, ordinary women can achieve extraordinary impact.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Spectator
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For Mrs. Patience Antonio, founder of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute (WLDI), women’s empowerment is more than a popular phrase; it is a lifelong mission to help women rediscover their strength, purpose, and voice. Her journey has been shaped by years of advocacy, research, and field experience working with women and children across Ghana.
Her words carry both compassion and conviction as she reflects on the state of women in society. “We can’t keep talking about women’s empowerment when we don’t protect and support them,” she says gently. “Many women are struggling in silence, carrying heavy emotional and financial burdens. Real empowerment must build the woman from within so she can rebuild her family and her community.”
That conviction led to the establishment of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute, a training and mentorship hub designed to nurture women into strong, self-aware leaders. The Institute focuses on transforming women at all stages of life through a three-level training model that blends leadership education with practical life skills.
At the first level, WLDI works with professional and career women, including those already occupying leadership or administrative positions but seeking growth, balance, and renewed confidence. Mrs. Antonio believes that leadership begins with personal transformation. “Many professional women face burnout because they carry multiple responsibilities at work and at home,” she explains. “Our training helps them rediscover balance, develop emotional intelligence, and strengthen their leadership capacity.”
The second level targets women in business and entrepreneurship. These are the women who, despite limited resources, are running shops, farms, and small enterprises across Ghana. “We want to highlight women who are already leading their own businesses,” she says. “They are the silent engines of our economy. With the right mentorship, they can scale their ventures, manage finances prudently, and create job opportunities for others.”
To Mrs. Antonio, however, the third level is the most crucial—the empowerment of grassroots women. These include market women, small-scale traders, and women in the informal sector. She describes them as “the backbone of the economy but also the most neglected.”
“From our research, many social challenges we face as a country stem from this group,” she notes. “Some of these women struggle to provide for their children, leading to issues like streetism and unstable families. Others fall repeatedly into unhealthy relationships because they lack self-awareness and support. When we empower them with knowledge, discipline, and self-leadership, we strengthen the very foundation of society.”
Beyond personal and economic empowerment, the Institute also pays attention to community wellbeing. WLDI has been active in mobilising women to address sanitation and health issues in local markets. “Women are central to community hygiene and food safety,” Mrs. Antonio explains. “By educating market women on health and sanitation, we create cleaner, safer spaces for everyone.”
Her work is not limited to adult women. Mrs. Antonio’s vision extends to youth leadership, particularly among young women. She believes that grooming must begin early if the nation hopes to produce visionary leaders. “Leadership should not start when people are old,” she insists. “It should begin with discipline, values, and mentorship from a young age. We must prepare the next generation now, not later.”
Through her work at WLDI, Mrs. Antonio continues to advocate for policies and social systems that recognise women’s contributions at all levels, from the marketplace to the boardroom. She often reminds participants that empowerment is not about competition with men but collaboration for societal growth.
Her life’s mission is deeply rooted in her belief that when women grow, the ripple effects are felt in every home and community. “When a woman grows, a family grows,” she says with a smile. “And when families grow, nations become stronger.”
She also believes that national development demands inclusive leadership. WLDI therefore seeks to build a database of trained women across various sectors, ready for leadership roles, appointments, board representation, and decision-making platforms. She is convinced that when women are empowered to lead in homes, communities, workplaces, and public spaces, the ripple effect is stronger families, better societies, and a progressive nation.
Mrs. Patience Antonio is a wife, mother, transformational speaker, leadership advocate, and mentor who has spent years championing the growth and holistic development of women and youth. Her vision has touched lives in homes, churches, institutions, and professional spaces. She is married with three children and loves reading.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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