Renowned Ghanaian actor Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, has made history by becoming the Best African Actor Ghana/Nigeria at the prestigious 10th edition of the Sotigui Awards, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Lil Win’s outstanding performance in the movie “Captain Ibrahim Traore” directed by Jackson K. Bentum has earned him this prestigious award. The movie, which tells the story of a legendary Burkinabe military leader, has been making waves in the film industry and has been widely praised for its historical accuracy and cinematic excellence.

The Sotigui Awards, which are an annual event that recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in the African film industry, brought together top actors, directors, and producers from across the continent to honour the best in the industry. The ceremony, which was held at the prestigious Hotel du Roi in Ouagadougou, was attended by top dignitaries and celebrities from across Africa.

Lil Win, who has become a household name in Ghana and Nigeria, was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as he received the award. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the organisers of the Sotigui Awards, his director Jackson K. Bentum, and the entire cast and crew of “Captain Ibrahim Traore” for their hard work and dedication.

“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award,” Lil Win said. “I want to thank the organisers of the Sotigui Awards for recognising my work. I also want to thank my director, Jackson K. Bentum, and the entire cast and crew of ‘Captain Ibrahim Traore’ for their hard work and dedication. Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”

The Sotigui Awards are an annual event that recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in the African film industry. The awards ceremony is attended by top dignitaries and celebrities from across the continent and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the African film industry.

In related news, the movie “Captain Ibrahim Traore” has been selected to compete in several international film festivals, including the upcoming Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso. The movie is expected to make a big impact at the festival, and it is expected to be a major contender for several awards.

Story By : Zolla Nie (CEO, Livenewsgh)

The government has taken a concrete step toward strengthening Ghana’s cultural and creative industries by introducing a Creative Arts Fund in the 2026 budget.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson told Parliament that the fund will receive GH¢20 million as initial capital. It is meant to support music, fashion, visual art, culinary arts and the many value chains that keep these sectors running.

“We will also establish the Creative Arts Fund for the arts, music, fashion, food and other creative sectors,” he said.

The fund is expected to address long standing challenges. Many creatives, including musicians, designers, chefs and visual artists, struggle with inconsistent funding and limited market structures. With public capital available, the fund can back small production grants, training programmes, technical support, market access projects and efforts to help creative businesses operate more professionally.

Dr Ato Forson presented the initiative as part of a broader strategy to turn culture into real economic growth and sustainable jobs, rather than a side activity.

Seed money from the fund could support early stage ideas that private investors often avoid. If it is channelled into production, distribution, export promotion and incubation hubs, it could help creatives build stronger business partnerships and open new tourism opportunities.

The success of the fund, however, will rely heavily on clear guidelines and solid governance. Previous promises to support the creative sector have sometimes slowed down due to weak oversight, short lived programmes or unclear evaluation systems.

Industry stakeholders are already expected to push for transparent criteria for disbursement, an independent board with creative sector expertise and monitoring tools that can track job creation and revenue generated by supported projects.

Other parts of the budget hint at a broader vision. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has been asked to upgrade cultural infrastructure and strengthen incentives for creatives. Connecting the fund to skills training, copyright protection and marketing support could increase its effectiveness.

A well balanced approach that includes grants, low interest loans and matched funding could also attract private investment and help creative businesses grow stronger.

For now, many creatives will watch closely. They will be looking for timely release of the seed money, a clear timeline for selecting projects and measures that ensure support reaches creators across all regions, not just a few major cities.

If the fund is managed well, it could open up new income streams, create professional jobs and help Ghana export more of its cultural products. If not, it risks becoming another budget promise that fails to reach the people it was meant to help.

The details will matter. The release of guidelines, appointment of the board and selection of the first group of beneficiaries will show whether this initiative becomes a real driver of Ghana’s creative economy or just another plan on paper.

For many creatives who have long waited for structured and predictable support, the 2026 Budget marks an important first step. The true impact will show when this commitment translates into actual studios, fashion lines, records, exhibitions and food ventures that reward the people behind them.

I have read an article written by one, Azumah Ibrahim (Chief Tuya Naa), who says he is PNDC (C.D.R) and NDCAG. Savanna Regional Director, Centre for National Culture, Damango on yagbonradioonline.

The write-up seeks to call on President John Dramani Mahama to look into a series of what he calls acts of insubordination and deliberate sabotage by certain staff of the Commission, as well as actions by some officers of the sector ministry.

According to the write-up it quoted, the current acting CEO of the National Commission on Culture, Wakefield Ackuako, submitted a report to draw the attention of the office of the president.

If Mr Wakefield Ackuaku indeed wrote such a report to the office of the President, and equally, the details of the report found themselves in the media space, then respectfully, Wakefield Ackuaku lacks the capacity to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.

1- ACTS OF INSUBORDINATION: The report speaks to acts of insubordination and deliberate sabotage by certain staff of the Commission and the sector ministry.  This is uncalled for and immaturity at display here.

You are the CEO of a whole agency and commander of the agency; instil respect and discipline.  Why report to your boss who appointed you to fix the problem? Do not be seen as a baby whose toffee has been taken away and is crying for attention. By this time, you should know the chain of command within your sector. If the mother ministry is undermining your work, you make it known to the minister in charge and escalate it to possibly the chief of staff if the need be.

2- REFORMS – The article mentions Wakefield Ackuaku’s inability to realign the operations of the Commission.  Clearly, you are exhibiting lost gravitas to be the leader at the agency.

The write-up mentioned a case of Richardson Fio, who was reassigned to the Upper East and blatantly refused. Clearly, there is a leadership crisis at the agency.

The matter of Richards beats my mind, and I’m wondering. Mr Ackuaku, were you not part of the meeting held between the Minister and, Chief Director regarding Mr Richardson Commey Fio, reassignment to the ministry?

Have you not ordered the change of locks to the office of Mr Richardson Commey Fio since you wrote to him in May this year to reassign him?

Above all, l will urge you not to allow regional centre directors to be writing articles that implicate you and largely disgrace the very political party that has given you this position to serve your mother, Ghana.

How can a sector minister undertake field visits, particularly to the north, to visit Commission centres and familiarise herself with ongoing activities, whereas you, the CEO of the Commission, have not even stepped there to do otherwise? You should rather do it and call for her attention since you are in charge and the big issues you have identified.

Keep the focus to see a positive turnover of the Commission and make sure your tenure in the office brings success.

Kojo Preko Dankwa

FOCAP President.