Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, has announced that he has invested a total of $500,000 into the production of his latest film titled Ibrahim Traoré.
In an interview with Graphic Showbiz on Saturday, June 28, Lil Win revealed that producing the film has been his most financially demanding project to date. He shared that he secured a loan of $400,000, combined with personal funds and external support, to meet the production’s overall cost.
“Captain Ibrahim Traoré took every ounce of effort, money and support I could gather. It has been very financially demanding,” he stated.
This latest project follows his previous film A Country Called Ghana, which was produced at a cost of $300,000 and is currently available on Amazon. Lil Win says the investment in Ibrahim Traoré reflects his commitment to telling authentic African stories with global appeal.
According to him, many people underestimate the actual cost of filmmaking in Ghana because they do not witness the hard work, long hours, and logistics involved. “When we talk about high budgets, some people don’t believe it. But just like in Nigeria, where some films cost over a million dollars, or in the West, where productions can go above $30 million, we also invest heavily here,” he said.
Lil Win emphasized that producing high-quality African films requires significant funding and storytelling rooted in African identity. “To reach international audiences, the story has to reflect African culture, our traditions, our history, and our values,” he said.
He further explained that Ibrahim Traoré is based on true events from Burkina Faso. “It is more than just a movie. It tells a real African story that shows the richness of our continent. That is what global audiences want to see,” he added.
Reflecting on the challenges of the production, Lil Win described it as one of the most difficult moments of his career. “It was extremely tough. We had to ensure everything was perfect, from costumes and locations to casting. We faced delays, funding shortages, and even attempts to stop the release.”
Despite these obstacles, he says his passion for African cinema and vision to put Ghana on the global map continue to drive him. “You cannot expect international success on a small budget. Passion alone is not enough. You have to invest, be bold, and push through every challenge to create something meaningful,” he concluded.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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