Ghanaian film maker Benjamin Kwadey wins Best Actor Prize in Los Angeles

A Ghanaian film maker, actor, motivational speaker and script writer, Benjamin Kwadey has been adjudged the winner of the Best Actor Award at the 2026 Los Angeles Reel Film Festival (Fall session).

The young actor got the highly coveted award for his compelling performance in the Ghanaian film titled DROWNING which was directed by Daniel Okpe Hooper and William Koko Agbeti.

An elated Benjamin Kwadey who was a resident at the October/November 2025 session of the Ebedi International Writers Residency, Iseyin, Nigeria, broke the news of his achievement during a ‘thank you’ visit to Dr Wale Okediran, Secretary General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) in Accra on Monday, October 19, 2026.

In addition to Kwadey’s award, DROWNING, a film about depression, also garnered four other prizes: Best Narrative film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and the Best Original Score.

According to Mr Kwadey, his international recognition was not merely a personal achievement; it is another testament to the extraordinary acting talent emerging from Ghana and the growing influence of African storytelling on the global cinematic stage.

The award winning actor thanked Dr Okediran for creating an enabling environment at the Ebedi Writers Residency where young African creatives are given the opportunity to hone their skills.

In his response, Dr Okediran congratulated Mr Kwadey for his remarkable achievement which he described as a great testimony to the enormous talents that abound among African creatives.

Benjamin Kwadey, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with a focus on Film and Television from the School of Performing Arts, the University of Ghana, Legon, is currently working on his forthcoming film project; THE GOLDEN CHAIN ON GALAMSEY, which he wrote during his stay at the Ebedi International Writers Residency.

Caption: Mr Benjamin Kwadey with Dr Wale Okediran on his visit to PAWA House in Accra

‘We need nation builders, not just preachers’

From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi  

The Founder and General Overseer of the No Weapon Prayer Center International (NWPCI), Prophet Dr. Emmanuel Frank Amoah, has urged Ghanaians to embrace active community leadership and moral integrity, declaring that the nation needs “nation-builders in the community, not just preachers on the pulpit.”

He made the call during the ordination of Pastor Emmanuel Yeboah into full pastoral ministry last Sunday at the church’s Weapon City headquarters in the Ashanti Region. 

Stressing on the need for believers to show their faith through service, character, and civic responsibility, Prophet Dr. Amoah noted that the newly ordained minister has been anointed not just to win souls for the Kingdom, but to build lives that will transform Ghana.

In a moment of divine alignment and apostolic endorsement, Prophet Dr. Amoah was joined by Apostle Justice Frank Amoah of the Apostolic Faith Mission International and Apostle John Boadu Offe of the True Messiah Baptist Church International. 

Together, the clergy laid hands on Pastor Yeboah, invoking the Holy Spirit to impart divine authority, heavenly wisdom, and spiritual fortitude for the sacred task ahead.

Officially commissioned to head the church’s Dumanafo branch, Pastor Yeboah steps into his new role equipped to lead intensive evangelistic crusades, spiritual counseling, and targeted community outreaches. 

The Church leadership noted that his deployment forms a central pillar of NWPCI’s broader vision to deepen its spiritual footprint, save souls, and drive holistic community transformation across the region.

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