BY GRACE ZIGAH
Veteran Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, has declared his intention to contest for the presidency of the Ghana Actors Guild, setting the stage for a potentially heated leadership battle with fellow actor Van Vicker.
Lil Win made his decision public during an interview with Poku 1 TV shared on August 13, 2026, announcing that he had already taken steps to obtain the necessary nomination forms.
“Let it be known to all Ghanaians that I will be vying for the position of Actors’ Guild president. I’ve already delegated someone to pick up the forms for me,” he stated.
His announcement has immediately generated interest within the movie industry, particularly because it comes at a time when his relationship with Van Vicker appears strained.
Only days before declaring his intention to contest, Lil Win publicly stated that he would no longer work with Van Vicker.
He accused his colleague of repeatedly turning down movie roles and failing to communicate with him ahead of scheduled productions.
The two actors are among the familiar faces of Ghana’s film industry, making the possibility of them competing for the leadership of the same professional body particularly significant.
Lil Win, however, has rejected suggestions that his decision to contest the presidency is driven by a personal desire to challenge or undermine Van Vicker.
Instead, he has presented his potential candidacy as part of a broader ambition to introduce new ideas and create better opportunities for Ghanaian actors and filmmakers.
One of the major proposals he has put forward is the establishment of a dedicated streaming platform for Ghanaian movies.
According to Lil Win, the country’s filmmakers currently have limited avenues through which they can distribute their productions and generate sustainable income.
He argued that many local productions are now primarily distributed through platforms such as YouTube and DStv, which, in his view, do not provide enough options for Ghanaian filmmakers.
“A lot of filmmakers do not have dedicated platforms to share their movies on. Most local movies are now on YouTube and on DStv, which gives very limited options,” he said.
Lil Win believes a Ghanaian-focused streaming service could give filmmakers greater control over their productions while creating an additional revenue channel for actors, producers and other industry professionals.
He further disclosed that he would explore international investment to make the proposed platform possible if he wins the election.
“Possibly, I will seek investment from Dubai or the Arab countries to help build a sustainable platform for the movie industry,” he said.
His proposal comes against the backdrop of years of concerns within Ghana’s movie industry over declining cinema patronage, limited financing, piracy, distribution challenges and the difficulty local filmmakers face in monetising their productions.
The Actors Guild itself has also experienced leadership-related disputes in recent years.
In January 2026, a court ruling brought a prolonged legal dispute over the Guild’s leadership to an end. The court ruled that former Guild president Sammy Fiscian’s tenure had expired in 2017 and directed Van Vicker to compile a new membership register ahead of fresh elections.
That ruling created the foundation for the Guild to move towards a new leadership contest.
Lil Win’s decision to enter the race now adds another prominent name to what could become a closely watched election.
While Van Vicker’s reported interest in the presidency has already generated discussion within the industry, Lil Win’s declaration introduces a direct potential contest between two well-known figures with significant experience in Ghanaian entertainment.
If both actors eventually contest, the Ghana Actors Guild could be heading for one of its most closely watched leadership elections in recent years.
