Nana Ama McBrown is one of the most celebrated and recognizable faces in the Ghanaian entertainment industry.
An actress, television presenter, music writer, brand ambassador, and event host, she has spent over two decades at the top of Ghana’s showbiz world, winning the hearts of millions with her warmth, humor, talent, and resilience.
From a difficult childhood that included being raised by an aunt to becoming the highest-paid Kumawood actress, McBrown’s story is as dramatic and compelling as any of the roles she has played on screen.
Profile
| Full Name | Felicity Ama Agyemang |
| Stage Name | Nana Ama McBrown |
| Born | August 15, 1977 |
| Age | 47 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Kumasi, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Occupation | Actress, TV Presenter, Music Writer, Brand Ambassador, Event Host |
| Religion | Christian |
| Parents | Kwabena Nkrumah (Father), Cecilia Agyenim Boateng (Mother); Raised by Kofi McBrown and Aunt Betty Obiri Yeboah |
| Spouse | Maxwell Mawu Mensah (married 2016) |
| Children | Maxin Mawushi Mensah (daughter, born February 2019); stepchildren Phoebe and Chauncey Mawu |
| Net Worth | Estimated $900,000 – $1.5 Million USD |
Who Is Nana Ama McBrown?
Nana Ama McBrown, born Felicity Ama Agyemang, is a multifaceted Ghanaian entertainer whose talent, versatility, and magnetic personality have made her one of the most influential figures in Ghanaian showbiz. She rose to prominence through her role in the television series Tentacles and achieved mainstream stardom with her performances in popular Twi-language films like Asoreba and Kumasi Yonko. With over 200 films to her name, she is widely regarded as the highest-paid Kumawood actress in Ghana. Beyond acting, McBrown has thrived as a television host fronting major shows including McBrown’s Kitchen, United Showbiz on UTV, and currently Onua Showtime on Onua TV under the Media General network.
Early Life
Nana Ama McBrown was born Felicity Ama Agyemang on August 15, 1977, in Kumasi, Ghana, to Kwabena Nkrumah and Cecilia Agyenim Boateng. Her parents divorced when she was young, and the separation left her mother unable to adequately care for Nana Ama and her six siblings. As a result, Nana Ama, together with her siblings, was adopted by her aunt, Madam Betty Obiri Yeboah, and her husband Kofi McBrown. It is from her adopted father, Kofi McBrown, that she took the surname by which she would become famous.
McBrown has spoken publicly about her deep affection for her aunt, describing her as her “real mother” and acknowledging the stable and loving home she provided. Growing up in Kwadaso, Kumasi, under the care of her aunt and adopted father, Nana Ama developed the warm, resilient character that would define her public persona. Her early years were marked by hardship, but also by the love and community that shaped her into the woman she became.
Education
Nana Ama McBrown attended St. Peter’s International Residential School, moved on to Minnesota International, and then to Central International School. She later enrolled at Kwadaso L.A. Junior Secondary School but dropped out before sitting for the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE). She subsequently studied a secretarial course, a qualification that had little bearing on the entertainment career that would eventually find her. She also later enrolled in acting-related training to sharpen her craft.
Career
Nana Ama McBrown stumbled into acting almost entirely by accident. She heard an audition call on the radio by Miracle Films and responded initially to work in costuming. However, on the set, director Samuel Nyamekye recognized something special in her and offered her the lead role instead. That decision would change both of their lives and the course of Ghanaian cinema.
Her first film, That Day, was released in 2001, and its success opened doors that would never close again. The film launched her acting career and led directly to her role in the television series Tentacles, which first brought her to national attention. She went on to star in over 200 films within the Kumawood industry the Twi-language film sector based in Kumasi with standout performances in Asoreba and Kumasi Yonko cementing her as a bona fide movie star.
In a remarkable display of multi-talented versatility, McBrown also became the first person in Ghana to develop, produce, direct, and star in a film while simultaneously winning four awards for it on the same night. She has accumulated over 30 awards throughout her two-decade career.
Beyond acting, McBrown expanded her presence into television hosting. She fronted the popular cooking show McBrown’s Kitchen and the entertainment talk show United Showbiz on UTV, both of which drew massive viewership. She has since moved to the Media General network, where she anchors the popular Onua Showtime on Onua TV. Her warm and engaging television personality has made her one of Ghana’s most beloved TV hosts.
McBrown has also secured lucrative brand ambassador deals with major companies including Hisense, Royal Drinks, So Klin washing powder, McBerry Biscuits, and Tasty Tom. In March 2021, she was appointed as an ambassador for Ghana’s COVID-19 National Trust Fund.
Awards & Nominations
- Best Actress in a Leading Role – Kumawood Awards (2011)
- Over 30 awards across various Ghana entertainment award platforms throughout her career
- First Ghanaian to produce, direct, and star in a film and win four awards the same night
Social Media
Nana Ama McBrown is very active on social media:
- Instagram: @iamamamcbrown – millions of followers
- Facebook: Nana Ama McBrown Official – millions of followers
- TikTok:Â active presence with viral content
Personal Life
In 2016, Nana Ama McBrown married her longtime boyfriend Maxwell Mawu Mensah, a businessman born on August 3, 1983. Their wedding was a grand celebration attended by Ghana’s biggest entertainment personalities. In February 2019, the couple welcomed their first child together a daughter named Maxin Mawushi Mensah born in Canada. While it was McBrown’s first biological child, it was Maxwell’s third, as he had two children from a previous relationship, Phoebe and Chauncey Mawu, whom McBrown has embraced as her own.
Baby Maxin, affectionately known to fans simply as “Baby Maxin,” has grown into something of a celebrity herself, frequently featured on her mother’s social media to the delight of millions. McBrown has spoken openly about her journey to motherhood, calling her daughter her world and expressing deep gratitude for the blessing.
McBrown has also been open about undergoing surgery at some point in her career, which sparked significant public interest and media coverage. Despite controversies and public scrutiny that come with fame, she has consistently maintained her dignity, warmth, and professional composure.
Net Worth
Nana Ama McBrown’s net worth is estimated at between $900,000 and $1.5 million USD, making her arguably the richest actress in Ghana. Her wealth is derived from her extensive acting career spanning over 200 films, her television hosting roles, numerous brand endorsement deals, and other business ventures. She is known to have a fleet of luxury vehicles including a G-Wagon and a Range Rover. Her continued relevance and popularity in a competitive entertainment landscape speak to a savvy professional who has managed both her career and her public image with exceptional skill.
Filmography (Selected)
- That Day (2001) – debut film
- Asoreba
- Kumasi Yonko
- Over 200 Kumawood films across two decades
FAQs
What is Nana Ama McBrown’s real name?
Her real name is Felicity Ama Agyemang. She adopted the McBrown surname from her foster father, Kofi McBrown.
Who is Nana Ama McBrown’s husband?
She is married to Maxwell Mawu Mensah, a businessman, whom she wed in 2016.
How many children does Nana Ama McBrown have?
She has one biological daughter, Maxin Mawushi Mensah, and two stepchildren, Phoebe and Chauncey Mawu.
What shows does Nana Ama McBrown host?
She currently hosts Onua Showtime on Onua TV. She previously hosted United Showbiz and McBrown’s Kitchen on UTV.
Conclusion
Nana Ama McBrown is more than a celebrity she is a cultural institution. Her journey from a Kumasi girl who dropped out of school to become Ghana’s most celebrated actress and television personality is a story of extraordinary determination, natural talent, and an infectious love of life that audiences simply cannot resist. Through joy and heartache, controversy and triumph, McBrown has remained authentic, relatable, and irresistibly entertaining. She is, by any measure, the queen of Ghana’s entertainment world and her reign shows no sign of ending.
