Nigerian actor Harry B Anyanwu has called President John Dramani Mahama the best leader in Africa while on set for A Journey to Africa, a Ghana-Nigeria film produced by Kumawood star LilWin.
The veteran actor and musician made the remarks in a video recorded on set as cast and crew marked his 67th birthday. In the clip, Anyanwu urges other African leaders to follow Mahama’s example. “He’s doing what other presidents are supposed to do,” he said. He also praised Ghana’s hospitality.
In the same video, LilWin, whose real name is Kwadwo Nkansah, surprises Anyanwu with a gift of US dollar notes as cast and crew cheer.
Mahama, the leader of the National Democratic Congress, took office in January 2025 after winning the December 2024 election. He had previously served as president from 2012 to 2017.
Anyanwu is one of several Nollywood names working on the film. Patience Ozokwor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Mike Ezuruonye, Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko arrived at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on 30 September. Anyanwu joined them later. The Ghana News Agency also listed Charles Awurum among the arrivals.
The film is produced under LilWin’s Wezzy Empire banner and is set in Nzulezu, the stilt village in Ghana’s Western Region. It is his second cross-border project after A Country Called Ghana, which also featured Nigerian actors and premiered at the National Theatre in Accra in April 2024.
The casting has drawn debate at home. LilWin told bloggers he chose mainly Nigerian actors because they usually respond to his scripts within hours, while some Ghanaian actors take a week or more. He also said Nollywood stars bring a larger fan base for international releases.
LilWin has said he plans to premiere A Journey to Africa in Accra before screening it across Ghana and abroad. No release date has been announced.
