Sarah Narki Dowuona, professionally known as Naa Afoncia, is a Ghanaian filmmaker, screenwriter, and director whose storytelling prowess has built a remarkable path within the creative industry. Sarah studied television production at the National Film and Television Institute, Ghana, and has been scriptwriting and directing since 2017.
As the founder of Film Étoile, she has built a brand known for producing bold and culturally resonant content, with a commitment to capturing stories that provoke thought, inspire change, and showcase the richness of human experiences.
She merges art with advocacy, drawing attention to social issues while celebrating the beauty of everyday life. Across all borders, her lens captures stories with authenticity and purpose.
Naa’s journey into filmmaking was guided by her natural curiosity and desire to impact lives through visual narratives. While many aspire to be in front of the camera, Naa Afoncia found her calling behind it: directing, writing, and bringing complex stories to life.
Her dedication to her expertise has led to numerous impactful projects, including Project Maji: A Story of Clean Water (February 2025), an astounding documentary shot in a short-film style that highlights the life-changing impact of clean water access for underserved communities. The project, commissioned by Project Maji and spearheaded by Sarah as the writer and director, was a profound experience for her. Witnessing firsthand the struggles of people without access to clean water reshaped her perspective.
“I thought I knew what water scarcity looked like—until I saw it firsthand. I’ve seen people fetch water from wells and pumps, but I had never witnessed people drinking dirty water in 2024. Seeing it with my own eyes was shocking. And it wasn’t just about drinking unsafe water—it was about the distances they traveled, the weight they carried, and the struggles they endured to get any water at all…” She recalls.
Sarah’s versatility cuts across various genres, extending from documentaries to commercials and fictional storytelling. She directed the Harmony Baby Diapers commercial, skillfully combining creativity and clarity to highlight the product’s benefits.
Her work on commercials also includes successful campaigns for Balona Non-Dairy Creamer, showcasing her ability to capture diverse product narratives with precision and appeal.
In March 2024, she worked on Gina’s Date Night, a feel-good film about a middle-aged divorced writer whose quest for inspiration turns into a journey of self-discovery. Premiered on DSTV, Go TV, and Akwaaba Magic, the film was praised for its engaging storyline and relatable characters.
Her work on KOKOPLUS In 2024, demonstrated her ability to convey complex messages through simplicity. Commissioned by KOKOPLUS Ghana, the commercial featured dialogue-driven storytelling to educate mothers about the benefits of the nutritional supplement. It was a campaign designed to resonate with everyday parents, something Sarah excelled at delivering.
A recurring theme in her work is advocacy, particularly on issues affecting marginalized groups. Her documentary on Improving Adolescent Mental, Sexual, and Reproductive Health and Wellbeing in West Africa (2024), commissioned by ADOWA GTR and the ADOWA Rep Group, tackled sensitive topics across Ghana, Niger, and Burkina Faso. With research partners including ECOWAS, the Ghana Health Service, and the University of Leeds, the project was a testament to her commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless.
Among her most exciting projects is the documentary series Slum Chronicles, where she dives into the lives of individuals navigating poverty and resilience within urban slums. The project is a compelling exploration of survival, dreams, and the unrelenting human spirit against all odds. By bringing these stories to light, Sarah continues her mission to amplify voices often neglected by mainstream media.
Sarah has also proven her storytelling mastery in the television space. As the director of The Cedi Life (2023), a mind-blowing reality series produced by Ageupon Productions in association with Film Étoile, she chronicled the experiences of young, hardworking Ghanaians navigating professional and personal pressures in Accra’s lively social scene. The show, featuring talents like Kidi, Eugy, Bishops, Wilglory, Amanda Agy, and Ghanaian Babe, gained attention for its realistic portrayal of ambition, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of success.
Outside of filmmaking, Sarah has demonstrated a remarkable ability to collaborate across borders and cultures. In September 2024, she worked on a campaign trailer for Will Lathrop, a candidate for Attorney General of Oregon, USA. As the Ghana team director for the project, Sarah showcased her skill in creating content that bridges cultural divides and promotes understanding on a global scale.
Despite her growing list of accomplishments, Sarah remains rooted in her passion for community storytelling.
Sarah Narki Dowuona’s journey has been marked by resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She excels in creating visuals that stir emotions, spark conversations, and inspire change. Whether she’s shedding light on underreported social issues, directing commercials that speak directly to audiences, or capturing the vitality of Ghana’s creative scene, Sarah’s work speaks for itself.
But perhaps what makes her most remarkable is her willingness to embrace the unexpected. She often finds herself drawn to impromptu ideas and unplanned shoots, like one of her favorite shorts about mothers and hard work, proof that creativity often flourishes in the most unexpected places.
Her work is a mirror reflecting both the beauty and struggles of life, built through a lens that seeks understanding and impact. And in a world where stories are often told from a singular perspective, her vision offers something refreshingly diverse, real, and hopeful.
