Ghanaian filmmaker, musician and media personality Akua Onyamepe Opoku-Agyemang, known across the industry as Kween Naba, has set her sights on Hollywood and Netflix while building a growing ecosystem of platforms that have already trained more than 200 actors at home in Ghana.
According to GhanaWeb, the multidisciplinary creative, who works as an actress, casting director, creative director, entrepreneur and acting coach, laid out her international ambitions in an interview published on October 31, 2026, alongside a slate of new projects spanning film, television and music.
From Kumasi church choir to the national stage
Originally from Agric Nwamse in Kumasi, Kween Naba grew up in Odorkor Official Town in Accra. Her passion for performance began in childhood, when she would sneak off to watch concert parties and television programmes. She started singing in her mother's church, then joined Born Stars on Viasat One and trained under veteran musician Paulina Oduro.
Her breakthrough moment came as runner-up in MTN Hitmaker Season 3. In 2013 she opened for Becca's Girl Talk show, an experience she describes as a turning point in her confidence as a performer. She went on to work as a backing vocalist for some of Ghana's biggest names, including Sarkodie, Becca, Wutah, Bessa Simons, Oheneba Kissi and Paulina Oduro.
On screen, she built her craft with professionals such as David Owusu and Ruffy Samuels through Funworld, appeared in DStv series and Dr. Likee skits, and worked with productions from Farmhouse, Inspector Bediako, House of Klu and Kiwi Production. Over time she expanded from acting into screenwriting, directing, casting, costume, art direction and production coordination, a portfolio that mirrors the multi-hyphenate model driving today's global creative economy.
Why she is building platforms for young talent
One of her strongest motivations comes from a painful chapter in her own story. Kween Naba disclosed that she experienced sexual exploitation by someone she considered a mentor when she was around 15 or 16. Having seen other young women face similar treatment, she resolved to help create an environment where emerging creatives earn opportunities through ability rather than sexual favours.
That resolve produced results. She is the founder of Queendom Casting and CastAfrik.com, and she runs Thespian Academy Ghana, through which she has trained more than 200 actors. She has also established Kweendom TV and Kweendom TV Studios, platforms for media conversations, creative expression and practical training for her students.
Her work addresses a gap that industry observers say is real. As The High Street Journal recently argued, Ghana's ambition to build a competitive film industry will depend on more than compelling stories and talented actors; it will require serious investment in the craft behind the camera. Kween Naba's academies and casting platforms are a direct answer to that call, built from the ground up by a practitioner rather than a policy paper.
Music with African roots and global reach
Her musical identity blends international pop influences with African cultural elements. She cites Beyoncé, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Paulina Oduro and Jamaican dancehall star Spice as inspirations, and she wants to make music that connects with international audiences while keeping its African roots intact. Her EP, Like Play, is available on streaming platforms under the name Kween Naba, and she is considering another EP in 2027.
She has also been outspoken about the challenges women face in the entertainment industry, including sexual exploitation, gender stereotypes and assumptions about marriage and motherhood. She recalled feeling she once missed out on a major music deal because she did not fit certain industry beauty standards. Despite that, her position is firm: talent, professionalism and competence should determine who gets the opportunity.
What she is working on right now
Her current slate is busy by any standard. She is directing another commercial with the Mitch Brothers and writing an 18-episode series titled Belity for Dr. Likee's YouTube channel, inspired by the Porials Pitch advert. She is preparing to shoot two short films with students from Thespian Academy Ghana and handling casting for Accra Stay by Plan.
Through Kweendom TV she is developing Penpenaa, a programme exploring social issues, marriage and relationships, and Between Us, focused on intimacy, sexuality and adult conversations. She is also preparing a reality dating show, Kiss to Determine, in which participants explore romantic connections through kissing before making their choices. Through CastAfrik, she plans to expand acting masterclasses, casting opportunities and professional training.
A film village called The Kingdom
Her ambitions reach beyond performing. She has gained admission to the University of Ghana for a Master's degree in Theatre Arts, plans to pursue a PhD and hopes to become a qualified lecturer. She also wants to build a world-class film studio and film village called The Kingdom, a creative hub combining film production, casting and actor training where emerging talents can be discovered, developed and equipped to produce international-standard work.
The timing could not be better for Ghanaian cinema on the world stage. An Obama-backed documentary, The Eyes of Ghana, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, is currently drawing international attention to the country's filmmaking history, as Wikipedia and Surrey Now-Leader have reported. Global eyes are on Ghanaian storytelling, and creatives like Kween Naba are positioning themselves to meet that demand with trained talent and professional infrastructure.
Asked where she sees herself in five years, her answer was two words: Hollywood and Netflix. She hopes to work on bigger productions, tell stories that reach international audiences and establish herself as a recognised creative force beyond Ghana.
Despite managing several professional responsibilities at once, she says she has no intention of dropping any of her creative interests. Her method is simple: scheduling and proper organisation. She describes creativity as a gift from God that she has turned into a profession, and she insists her work is about more than personal success.
When asked how she would like to be remembered, she chose the description The Creative Goddess, a woman who created, inspired, built opportunities, nurtured talent and left an unforgettable mark on the creative industry. For Ghana's young creatives, and for the diaspora watching the country's entertainment sector mature, her blueprint offers proof that the industry's next chapter can be written, directed and cast at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kween Naba?
Kween Naba is the stage name of Akua Onyamepe Opoku-Agyemang, a Ghanaian filmmaker, musician, actress, casting director, entrepreneur and acting coach from Kumasi and raised in Accra.
How many actors has Kween Naba trained?
She has trained more than 200 actors through Thespian Academy Ghana, according to GhanaWeb.
What are Kween Naba's biggest projects?
Her ventures include Queendom Casting, CastAfrik.com, Kweendom TV and Kweendom TV Studios, plus an upcoming film village called The Kingdom.
What are Kween Naba's international ambitions?
She aims to reach Hollywood and Netflix within five years while helping Ghanaian talent access opportunities based on skill rather than exploitation.