BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
Some of Nigeria’s biggest Nollywood stars have arrived in Ghana to join Ghanaian actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, for a major cross-border film project aimed at telling the story of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage to an international audience.
The celebrated actors touched down at the Accra International Airport on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, where they were welcomed by Lil Win and members of his Wezzy Empire production team.
Among the stars who arrived in Ghana are veteran actors Kanayo O. Kanayo, Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, Mike Ezuruonye, Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko. Actor Charles Awurum has also been associated with the production.
The Nigerian stars are in Ghana to participate in Lil Win’s upcoming movie, A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu), a project being produced under the Wezzy Empire banner.
The production is expected to combine talents from Ghana’s Kumawood industry and Nigeria’s Nollywood in an ambitious attempt to create a film with a wider African and international appeal.
Unlike a conventional entertainment production, A Journey to Africa (Nzulezu) is being presented by its creative team as a historical and cultural drama centred on the heritage of the Nzulezu community in Ghana’s Western Region.
The film’s writer and director, Frank Fiifi Gharbin, has indicated that the story is based on historical research into the origins and migration of the people of Nzulezu.
Nzulezu is a historic settlement built on stilts over water on Lake Tadane, near Beyin in Ghana’s Western Region. The community has become one of Ghana’s notable cultural and tourism attractions because of its distinctive architecture and way of life.
The filmmakers intend to use the story to explore the history, traditions and identity of the community while introducing its unique heritage to audiences beyond Ghana.
The production is also expected to highlight the importance of preserving African history and cultural identity at a time when filmmakers are increasingly looking towards locally rooted stories for international audiences.
The involvement of actors such as Kanayo O. Kanayo and Patience Ozokwor gives the project a strong connection to the older generation of Nollywood, while the participation of actors including Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko adds contemporary star power to the cast.
The filmmakers hope the combination will help the movie reach audiences across Africa and potentially international viewers interested in African history and culture.
Speaking to journalists after arriving in Ghana, veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo explained that his decision to join the project was largely influenced by the quality of the script.
According to the actor, his approach to filmmaking is straightforward: when a script is sufficiently compelling and worthwhile, he is prepared to take on the role.
He said: “I am an actor. If a script is worth my while, I will accept to work on it.”
Kanayo explained that he reviewed the script with the director before agreeing to participate and that discussions around the production’s logistics eventually cleared the way for his involvement.
He also acknowledged the challenges involved in telling a story based on Ghanaian heritage, particularly the need for careful character development and authentic storytelling.
Nigerian actor Charles Awurum, who also expressed excitement about the project, praised Ghana for its hospitality and said he was looking forward to working with Lil Win and the other members of the cast.
He said the production could contribute to portraying Ghana to international audiences as a culturally rich and welcoming country.
The Nigerian actors’ arrival has already generated excitement among entertainment followers, with videos and photographs from the airport circulating on social media.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the production will be its use of Nzulezu as a central filming location.
The community’s unusual stilt architecture, waterways and traditional lifestyle provide a setting that is rarely seen in mainstream African cinema.
By placing the story within the historic community, the filmmakers intend to make the location more than just a backdrop. They want the village and its history to become central elements of the narrative.
The project therefore combines entertainment with cultural storytelling, with the filmmakers hoping that audiences will gain a greater understanding of Nzulezu and its place in Ghanaian history.
