Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as LilWin, has revealed that he invested a staggering $500,000 into his latest movie project, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz on June 28, LilWin explained that the film, based on the real-life story of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, demanded enormous financial and emotional investment.
“I had to take a loan of about $400,000 on top of my own money and support from others,” he disclosed. “This is by far my most expensive production.”
LilWin emphasized that many people underestimate the cost of quality filmmaking in Africa. “Just like Nigeria or the West where films cost millions, Ghanaian filmmakers also invest heavily—but people often don’t believe us,” he said.
Following his previous success with A Country Called Ghana, now streaming on Amazon, LilWin says Ibrahim Traoré continues his mission to project authentic African stories to global audiences.
“To compete internationally, your story must reflect African culture, tradition, and history. Ibrahim Traoré isn’t just fiction—it’s our story told our way,” he stated.
Despite severe challenges, including production delays, resource shortages, and attempts to halt the film’s release, LilWin said he stayed the course because of his passion.
“It’s easy to release a film on TV or YouTube. But aiming for global platforms requires perfection—every costume, every scene, every detail matters,” he said.
LilWin’s bold investment in storytelling rooted in African identity marks another step in his journey to put Ghanaian cinema on the global map.
