Ghana’s first Kente Culture story documentary film, “The Importance of Kente to Ghanaians and Black Africans,” produced by award-winning and BBC journalist Amma Prempeh has been screened at the Ghana Mission in New York in an effort to bring the rich tapestry of Ghanaian culture to a wider audience.
A 26-minute version of the film was screened for the private viewing of Ghana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, H. E. Harold Agyeman in a meeting on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at the instance of Ambassador Harold Agyeman.
The event formed part of activities to mark the Africa Week (May 21-24) by the Ghana Mission.
Amma Prempeh, producer, director and sole financier of the film, presented a Kente documentary film premiere booklet and a customized Kente Culture Story Documentary Film and Kente stool to H. E. Harold Agyeman and his team at the Ghana Mission.
Also in attendance for the 26-minute version of the Ghana’s first Kente Culture Story Documentary Film private screening was
Ghana’s Ambassador to UN, Ambassador H.E Harold Agyeman & Hon Kingsley Atta Boafo – Head of Consulate General New York City.
Ambassador Harold Agyeman, who is the Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations in New York assured the film maker of support for a wider distribution and wider viewership of the documentary film project to enable her recoup production cost.
He also assured that the Ghana Mission would use its media handles to propagate the Kente documentary film project, Amma Prempeh had put in so much effort into undertaking.
The Kente Culture Story Documentary Film – “The Importance of Kente to Ghanaians & Black Africans” premiered at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA on February 1, 2024.
The film which delves into the intricate artistry, cultural significance, and global impact of Kente cloth, made further inroads on the international scene on April 17, 2024 when the film 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.
The film was first premiered in Ghana on August 26, 2023, at the Golden Eagle Cinema in Kumasi City Mall and subsequently screened at the African Regent Hotel in Accra on September 10, 2023 before being screened on the world stage this year.
The film, which seeks to celebrate heritage and identity and to further explore the evolution of Kente from a symbol of Ghanaian royalty to a powerful global icon of resistance and identity, is also pencilled to be screened at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France soon.
It also examines its cultural ownership, economic and social importance, and central role in global politics.
It showcases the vibrant stories and perspectives of weavers, historians, and cultural experts, offering a compelling narrative on the enduring legacy of Kente.
Amma Prempeh describes Kente as “more than just a cloth; it is a living embodiment of our history, values, and aspirations,” and dedicates the film to the generations of weavers who have kept this tradition alive, and a celebration of its continued relevance in our globalized world.”
