Amma Prempeh’s Kente documentary film screened in Canada

For the umpteenth time, Ghana’s first Kente Culture Story Documentary Film – “The Importance of Kente to Ghanaians and Black Africans,” continues to make inroads across international frontiers to showcase Kente’s role in preserving history.

The documentary, funded by Amma Prempeh, Executive Director, film producer, Lawyer, award winning journalist and granddaughter of Ashanti King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, delves into the origins, intricate artistry, captivating history, development and commercial aspects of the fabric.

Since August 26, 2023 when it premiered at the Golden Eagle cinema in Kumasi and at the African Regent Hotel September 10, 2023 the film has subsequently grown in recognition across international borders.

The Kente Culture Story Documentary Film premiered at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA on February 1, 2024.
The film made further inroads on the international scene on April 17, 2024 when its director, Amma Prempeh, engaged in three historic meetings in Washington DC with H.E. Ambassador Hajia Alima Mahama, Ghana’s Ambassador to the US, Congresswoman Barbara Lee and students of Howard University, at the instance of the Department of African Studies of Howard University, established by President Abraham Lincoln in April 15, 1865 and known to be the best black historic university in the USA.

The film has thus been premiered at the top university in the world and best black historic university in America within three months, to resonate with students, as it explores the rich history and cultural significance of Kente cloth, which has been so popular in their communities”.

A 26-minute version of the film produced by award-winning and BBC journalist, Amma Prempeh, has also been screened at the Ghana Mission in New York in an effort to bring the rich tapestry of Ghanaian culture to a wider audience.
It was screened for the private viewing of Ghana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, H.E. Harold Agyeman, in a meeting on May 23, 2024 at the instance of Ambassador Harold Agyeman, as  part of activities to mark the Africa Week (May 21-24) by the Ghana Mission.
UNESCO has also recognized Kente by listing Kente as an Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 19th session in Paraguay on December 4, 2024.

Last week, February 3, 2025 it was screened at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada to kick start Black History Month celebrations under the patronage of host, Dr. Paul Banahene Adjei, Associate Vice President of Indigenous Research Memorial University, Canada.

Memorial University of Newfoundland, (MUN ), founded in September 1925, is a public research university in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, based in St. John’s, with satellite campuses in Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Saint Pierre, and Harlow, England.

Memorial University offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs, as well as online courses.

Speaking to journalists after the screening of the Kente Film at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Amma Prempeh said “I’m excited about this opportunity to bring Ghana to Canada and the world through my documentary – ‘Importance of Kente to Ghanaians and Black Africans’.

She thanked God for the success story of the documentary and expressed appreciation for the support from her parents, Mrs. Mabel Prempeh and late father Mr. Kwasi Prempeh, his brothers and the entire Prempeh family, friends and the amazing high-profile casts and production team.

Following the screening, students engaged in a Q & A discussion with Amma Prempeh and Mr. Osei-Bonsu Safo-Kantanka, also known as Teacher Safo-Kantanka, a monarchical historian from the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the seat of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Teacher Safo-Kantanka, a native of Bonwire, the home of Kente and an expert on Kente cloth, provided further insights into the fabric’s cultural significance.

Amma Prempeh also presented a limited edition Kente documentary film premiere booklet, Kente documentary film premiere T-shirt with HRH Queen Asantehemaa picture, Kente documentary film bag and pens to Dr. Tana Allen, Vice President of Research was presented after the Kente documentary film screening.

Other members of the faculty also got Kente documentary film premiere merchandise gifts as well from Amma Prempeh

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