From singing in church as a young girl to performing alongside some of Ghana’s recognised musicians, working in film productions, building a casting agency and nurturing the next generation of actors, Akua Onyamepe Opoku-Agyemang, popularly known as Kween Naba, has never been one to fit into a single box.
A filmmaker, actress, musician, media personality, creative director, casting director, entrepreneur, and acting coach, Kweenaba has built a career around one central idea: creativity should not only give people the opportunity to express themselves but also create opportunities for others to succeed.
Known for her unconventional thinking and outspoken personality, she is steadily building what she describes as her own creative Kweendom, with projects spanning filmmaking, music, talent development and digital media.
Born on May 3, 1990, Kweenaba hails from Agric Nwamse in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, but grew up in Odorkor Official Town, Accra. She describes herself as the black sheep of her family, having been rebellious, curious, and naturally drawn to exploring different paths.
Her interest in entertainment started early. Growing up in a pastor’s home where television was not initially available, she would sometimes sneak around to watch concert parties and By the Fireside.
When her family eventually acquired a television, one production that particularly caught her attention was A Stab in the Dark, directed by Veronica Quashie and featuring Efe Thompson.
Efe’s performance inspired her desire to appear on screen, while international stars Beyoncé and Rihanna further shaped her interest in entertainment.
Her professional name also has a personal story behind it. After noticing that people struggled to pronounce her birth name, she encouraged them to call her Queen, which she stylised as Kween. Naba was drawn from her local names, Nana Akua Branso Agyemang, eventually giving birth to the name Kweenaba.
From church singing to the entertainment industry
Music was Kweenaba’s first creative pursuit. She started singing in her mother’s church, where her praise and worship sessions sometimes attracted people who wanted to experience her performances before the sermon.
The response encouraged her to explore opportunities beyond the church. She auditioned for Born Stars on Viasat One, received training from Paulina Oduro, and later emerged as runner-up in MTN Hitmaker Season 3.
One of her earliest major career moments came in 2013 when she was invited to perform as the opening act for Becca’s Girl Talk show following her MTN Hitmaker achievement.
Although nervous at the beginning, she eventually won over the audience, who rose to their feet. The experience taught her an important lesson about overcoming fear.
She recalls that it reminded her that even the people she admired were human, and that showing up despite being afraid could make all the difference.
Her musical journey also took her into backing vocals, where she worked with artistes including Sarkodie, Becca, Wutah, Bessa Simons, Oheneba Kissi and Paulina Oduro.
Her acting career developed through Funworld, where she worked under David Owusu and Ruffy Samuels, as well as appearances in DStv series and Dr. Likee skits. She has also been associated with productions from Farmhouse, Inspector Bediako, House of Klu and Kiwi Production.
These experiences gradually expanded her interest beyond performing, leading her into screenwriting, directing, casting and other aspects of film production.
She credits working with experienced professionals, particularly David Owusu, with helping her understand the demands of professional filmmaking and develop her skills.
Turning difficult experiences into opportunities for others
Behind Kweenaba’s determination to create opportunities for upcoming talents is a difficult experience from her teenage years.
At around 15 or 16, she says she experienced sexual exploitation by someone she considered a mentor. She also witnessed other young women going through similar experiences within the creative environment.
The experience deeply affected her and influenced how she would eventually approach the industry.
A woman who taught her costuming helped her understand the importance of putting herself first. That lesson became part of the foundation for her decision to become what she describes as a king and queen-maker, creating opportunities where people are recognised for their talent and professionalism rather than being pressured into sexual favours.
Her commitment to protecting young creatives remains one of her strongest principles.
“I will never tolerate or participate in the sexual exploitation of young creatives, nor will I stand by and watch it happen,” she says, adding that she also has zero tolerance for bullying, indiscipline and poor work ethics.
Her experience has not made her shy away from the industry. Instead, it has strengthened her determination to help create a more professional environment where upcoming talents can develop without compromising their dignity.
Building a creative platform through casting and training
One of Kweenaba’s major achievements has been establishing Kweendom Casting and CastAfrik.com, platforms through which she works to connect talent with opportunities.
She has also trained more than 200 actors through Thespian Academy Ghana, helping upcoming performers develop their skills and gain practical industry experience.
Through Kweendom TV, she has created another platform for media conversations and creative expression. She also established Kweendom TV Studios to give her students an opportunity to practise, build confidence and gain experience in front of and behind the camera.
“I love watching something that existed only on paper come to life through my hands and before my eyes,” she explains.
She is also directing commercials and developing an all-girls musical group known as Kweendom Band.
Despite her extensive behind-the-scenes work, Kweenaba enjoys surprising audiences when she appears in front of the camera or takes the stage. She describes the reactions she receives when people discover her performing abilities as priceless, particularly when they realise that she is equally comfortable in front of the camera.
She believes her influence as a leader comes with responsibility. Having trained and mentored others, she is conscious that her words and actions can affect people’s confidence and ambitions.
For her, one of the most rewarding experiences is watching people she has worked with grow into confident creatives and pursue their dreams.
A musical identity influenced by global pop and African culture
Although filmmaking and talent development occupy significant parts of her career, music remains an important part of Kweenaba’s creative identity.
Her sound blends international pop influences with African cultural roots. Drawing inspiration from artistes such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Paulina Oduro and Jamaican dancehall star Spice, she hopes to create music that can connect with international audiences while retaining its African identity.
Beyoncé remains her biggest musical inspiration, particularly for her artistry, discipline, versatility and ability to command a stage. She also admires Rihanna’s individuality, Alicia Keys’ soulful musicality, Paulina Oduro’s influence on her live-band development and Spice’s bold energy.
Kweenaba has released an EP titled Like Play, available on music streaming platforms under her professional name.
Interestingly, she does not believe every song must necessarily carry a serious message or teach a lesson. Sometimes, she believes music should simply make people feel something, dance, and enjoy themselves.
She intends to continue pursuing music, filmmaking and media rather than abandoning any of them. However, she admits that whichever area brings the greatest professional success and financial returns may naturally receive more attention.
Speaking openly about women and the entertainment industry
Kweenaba’s experiences have also shaped her views on the position of women in Ghana’s creative industry.
While she says she has not experienced many challenges she would specifically attribute to being a woman in filmmaking, she believes women continue to face issues such as sexual exploitation, gender stereotypes and assumptions about marriage and motherhood.
She recalls sometimes feeling that she missed out on a major music deal because she did not fit conventional beauty standards within the industry.
In her view, social media has helped change the situation by giving artistes more opportunities to showcase their talents and connect directly with audiences.
She also challenges the expectation that women in the industry should always be quiet, submissive, or conform to certain behaviours.
At the Ndiva Women’s Film Festival, a statement by Madame Veronica particularly stayed with her: “Filmmaker first before woman.”
It reflects her belief that professional ability should come before gender-based expectations.
Her advice to young women entering the industry is equally direct. She encourages them to understand how the industry operates, recognise manipulation, protect themselves and position their talents strategically.
“If you’re afraid of being underestimated, you may not be ready yet,” she says.
She also identifies Paulina Oduro as an important figure in her journey, describing her as both a mentor and a mother for life. She admires her ability to embrace unconventional people and help them grow, something she believes she has inherited and now practises through her own work with young creatives.
An unconventional approach to life and success
Away from her professional responsibilities, Kweenaba is protective of her privacy. She is married but prefers to keep certain aspects of her personal life away from public attention.
She describes herself as ambitious and says she has had to train herself and the people around her to understand the demands of her multiple careers.
Her approach to relationships and ambition is straightforward. She does not believe she should reduce her dreams or lose her identity to make a relationship work.
When she is not working, she enjoys what she calls her “dark days”. Her ideal relaxation involves sealing off her windows, switching on her television or projector, keeping her room cool, grabbing snacks, and binge-watching Netflix.
She also values sleep, solitude, and time away from people when she feels overwhelmed or overstimulated. She calls these periods her hibernation or rejuvenation time.
Her philosophy on success is equally unconventional. Rather than measuring achievement only through major milestones, she believes in appreciating small wins that eventually contribute to bigger accomplishments.
She says she has learned to embrace failure, prepare for disappointment, learn from difficult experiences, and move forward quickly.
She also describes herself as selfish in the sense that she prioritises her peace and understands how to distribute her energy without losing herself in the process.
“Never lose yourself trying to make everyone happy,” she advises.
She believes people in the creative industry should also move away from the assumption that everyone working in entertainment is financially struggling. In her view, identifying one’s strengths, developing exceptional skills, and approaching a chosen profession strategically can create opportunities for financial success.
What is next for Kweenaba?
Kweenaba is not slowing down. She currently has several projects in development, including another commercial with the Mitch Brothers and an 18-episode series titled Belity, which she is writing for Dr. Likee’s YouTube channel. The series is inspired by the Porials Pitch advert.
She is also preparing to shoot two short films with students from Thespian Academy Ghana and is handling casting for Accra Stay by Plan.
Through Kweendom TV, audiences can also expect more content, including two programmes, Penpenaa and Between Us.
While Penpenaa will explore social issues, marriage, relationships, love and everyday conversations, Between Us will focus on intimacy, sexuality and adult conversations.
Another project in development is a reality dating show titled Kiss to Determine, where participants will explore potential connections through kissing before making their choices.
Her upcoming plans also include more student films, short-film productions, casting opportunities, acting masterclasses, and professional training through CastAfrik. She will continue directing commercials, working across different areas of filmmaking and producing content for her YouTube channel. Musically, she is considering releasing another EP in 2027.
Her ambitions extend well beyond Ghana. Asked where she sees herself in five years, her response was brief but bold: “Hollywood. Netflix.”
She hopes to work on bigger productions, tell stories that reach international audiences and establish herself as a recognised filmmaker and creative force beyond Ghana.
There is also an academic ambition she is pursuing. She has gained admission to the University of Ghana for a Master’s degree in Theatre Arts and hopes to progress to a PhD, eventually entering academia as a qualified lecturer.
If resources were unlimited, she would establish an entire film village and world-class production studio called The Kingdom. Her vision is to build an integrated creative hub combining film production, casting and actor training, where talent can be discovered, developed and equipped to produce world-class work.
For young creatives who feel discouraged by the competitive nature of the industry, she encourages them to search within themselves and establish whether their chosen path is truly what they want. Once they are certain, she believes they should pursue it regardless of the obstacles.
The creative goddess
Kweenaba’s story is one of constant reinvention, professional growth, and an unwillingness to be restricted by conventional career boundaries.
From music and acting to directing, casting, training and entrepreneurship, she continues to explore different ways of expressing her creativity while building platforms for others.
She has no intention of giving up because, as she puts it, creativity is a gift from God that she has turned into a profession. For her, the work is about more than building a personal career. It is also about nurturing others and creating opportunities that can outlive her individual achievements.
When asked how she would like to be remembered, she chose an identity that captures her entire creative philosophy: “The Creative Goddess.”
She wants to be remembered as a woman who created, inspired, built opportunities, nurtured talent, and left an unforgettable mark on the creative industry.
For now, Kweenaba is focused on building that legacy, one production, one opportunity, and one creative mind at a time.
Connect with Kweenaba
- Social media: @kweenaba across platforms
- CastAfrik: https://castafrik.com
- Thespian Academy Ghana: https://thespian.academy
- Kweendom TV: https://youtube.com/@kweendomtv
- Music: Like Play EP, available on major music streaming platforms under Kweenaba.
