LilWin
Kumawood actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as LilWin, says his new movie project has left him struggling to sleep. In a video that went viral on social media this week, the actor admitted that money still owed to the Nigerian stars on his film A Journey to Africa keeps him awake at night, and even shows up in his dreams.
The comments came just days after a group of top Nollywood actors flew into Accra to shoot the film, a moment that was widely celebrated as a big win for Ghana–Nigeria movie collaboration.
What LilWin Said
In the clip, LilWin opened up about the pressure of financing such a big production on his own. According to GhanaWeb, which reported on the video, he said the outstanding balances weigh heavily on his mind.
“I can’t sleep. I sometimes wake up at dawn all of a sudden; it feels like I owe them,” he said.
He went further to share that veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has appeared in his dreams asking for the rest of his money. LilWin explained that he has woken up around 2am troubled by those thoughts.
“EOCO Should Check My Accounts”
The actor also pushed back against people who believe he is sitting on a lot of money. He suggested that the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) should go through his bank accounts if anyone doubts him.
“EOCO should come and check my accounts. After they go through my accounts, they will be the ones to even deposit money inside for me,” he said.
LilWin did not disclose how much each actor is being paid or how much is still outstanding. He also did not say when the balances are due.
Quick Facts
- Who: Kwadwo Nkansah (LilWin), Ghanaian actor and filmmaker
- Movie: A Journey to Africa, also referred to as A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu)
- Nollywood cast spotted in Ghana: Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwor, Destiny Etiko, Mike Ezuruonye, Zubby Michael and Charles Awurum
- Arrival: The Nigerian stars landed at Kotoka International Airport on September 30, 2026
- Setting: The story is linked to Nzulezu, the famous stilt village in Ghana’s Western Region
- Payment figures: Not disclosed
A Big Production With Big Names
The arrival of the Nollywood stars in Accra on September 30 created a buzz across Ghana and Nigeria. Videos of the Nollywood stars landing in Ghana for LilWin’s movie spread quickly on Instagram and TikTok, with fans excited to see the legends on Ghanaian soil.
A Journey to Africa was first announced in May 2024. It has been described as a bigger and more ambitious production than LilWin’s earlier cross-border film, A Country Called Ghana, and it brings together talent from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States.
Shortly after arriving, some of the Nigerian actors joined LilWin on a courtesy visit to Stephen Adom Kyei-Duah, founder of Believers House of Worship. LilWin is a known follower of the preacher and has publicly defended Adom Kyei-Duah in the past.
Why He Chose Nigerian Actors
On October 1, LilWin also spoke to bloggers about why the cast leans so heavily on Nigerian stars. He said the Nigerian actors read scripts and replied within about an hour, while some Ghanaian actors he approached took a week or more to respond.
He made it clear he would not beg anyone to work with him. He added that Nigerian actors also bring a bigger fan base, which helps when a film is aimed at an international audience. Ghanaian names he had earlier hoped to work with reportedly included Van Vicker, Majid Michel, Jackie Appiah and Martha Ankomah.
Not the First Time Money Has Come Up
This is not the first time LilWin has spoken openly about what it costs to bring Nollywood stars into his films. In a 2025 interview with Graphic Showbiz, he said he paid Ramsey Nouah $40,000 to lead A Country Called Ghana, and spent around $100,000 on promotion.
At the time, he summed up his situation simply: “Everything depends on money. If I have the money, no actor from anywhere will turn down my offer.” He also said the Ghanaian movie industry is struggling mainly because of a lack of investment.
A Country Called Ghana went on to win Best Indigenous Film at the 2024 Nollywood Film Festival, a result that gave LilWin the confidence to aim even higher with his next project.
Why the Confession Matters
LilWin’s remarks shine a light on a challenge many independent producers in Ghana face. Bringing in A-list talent from abroad can raise a film’s profile, but it also means large fees, travel and hotel costs that one producer often has to carry alone.
His own past words point to the same problem. By his account, the industry needs more investment, and projects like A Journey to Africa depend heavily on the producer’s personal funds and goodwill.
What Happens Next
Production on A Journey to Africa is ongoing, and no release or premiere date has been announced yet. Neither Kanayo O. Kanayo nor the other Nigerian cast members have publicly commented on LilWin’s remarks.
For now, LilWin’s candid confession has given fans a rare look at the money pressures behind one of Ghana’s most talked-about film projects. Whether the movie lives up to the hype will become clear once it hits the screens.
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