Tensions are rising in Ghana’s entertainment industry following startling revelations by Kumawood actor and producer, Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, who claims he was offered a bribe to halt the production of his upcoming movie.
The controversy took center stage on Atinka TV’s Entertainment Lounge show, hosted by Albert Johnson, known as Odefour Di Asa Papa, where top entertainment pundits dissected the implications of the claims and Lil Win’s role in the disputed production.
Speaking on the show, entertainment pundit James Clarke bluntly criticized Lil Win’s casting as the lead character, Ibrahim Traoré, a figure purportedly central to the narrative of the film, which is based on events from Burkina Faso.
“Lil Win cannot play the role of Ibrahim Toure,” – Clarke stated emphatically. “Because of his body stature and personality. The story you are casting is not a Ghanaian story—it is an African story, a Burkina Faso story.”
He further questioned Lil Win’s insistence on continuing the project even after allegedly accepting a bribe to shelve it.
“If someone has approached you asking how much you’ve invested and offered to compensate you to stop, and you’ve taken the money and still want to continue, it’s your own risk,” Clarke warned, calling on the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Actors Guild to intervene.
Adding his voice, fellow pundit Nana Kwaku Duah expressed cautious support for Lil Win’s right to continue the production but raised doubts about the motive behind the bribery claim.
“We’ve watched movies exposing top secrets about America and other big countries and I don’t think Lil Win should be stopped,” – he said.
“But I don’t want to believe it’s one of the tactics Lil Win loves to use to promote his movies.”
Nana Duah cautioned against overhyping films for publicity, stating that such strategies could backfire if the final product fails to meet audience expectations.
“When the movie is good, we’ll recommend it after the first watch. But when you hype it unnecessarily, and it disappoints, don’t feel offended when people complain.”
Host Albert Johnson, aka Odefour Di Asa Papa, did not mince words either, warning of possible consequences if Lil Win defies those allegedly behind the bribery attempt.
“Lil Win, if you have taken the money and don’t want to stop the work, it’s your own choice,” he said.
“Maybe the thing that will stop you will not come now.”
Odefour stressed the need for security agencies to take the matter seriously. “Let’s not wait till something bad happens. The right thing must be done. This is not a small story—it must follow due process.”
The debate reflects growing concern about transparency, professionalism, and safety in Ghana’s film industry, especially as filmmakers seek to tackle more politically or historically sensitive narratives. For now, Lil Win has yet to reveal further details of the alleged bribe or his next steps regarding the film’s production.
The industry, however, is watching closely.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu
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