Entertainment
Mawuko Kuadzi wins maiden Best Casting Director award at 15th Ghana Movie Awards
Ghanaian casting director Mawuko Kuadzi has etched his name in the country’s film history, becoming the first-ever winner of the newly introduced Best Casting Director category at the 15th Ghana Movie Awards (GMA) held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
The star-studded ceremony, which attracted a host of Ghanaian and African celebrities, saw Mawuko Kuadzi take home the historic award for his work on the film The Fisherman.
He beat fellow nominees Naomi Osei Mensah (King of Tema), Frank Rajah (Virgin of the Throne), and the duo Rawdrick Lartey Junior and Omar Krupp (Ghana Map).
The category, introduced for the first time in the awards’ 15-year history, mirrors a similar addition by the Academy Awards (Oscars) and celebrates the critical role of casting directors as the “Human Resource Managers” of the creative economy.
Mawuko Kuadzi’s win comes on the heels of groundbreaking international achievements. In 2025 and again in 2026, he became the first African in 40 years to win the prestigious ARTIOS Award from the Casting Society of America (CSA), firmly placing Ghana on the global casting map.
His international acclaim also led the Ghana Leadership Awards to create and bestow upon him the Best Casting Director honor in 2024.
Observers note that this progression sends a powerful message: when a professional consistently delivers excellence, industry bodies are compelled to take notice and create platforms to honor that contribution.
The biggest honor of the evening, Best Picture, went to Sukura, a production that also featured an executive producer in a lead role.
The film King of Tema took home the Best Editing award, while The Fisherman, which earned Mawuko Kuadzi his historic casting award also won Best Visual Effect. Several veteran actors and rising stars were also celebrated across various categories.
The red carpet at the Kempinski Hotel was a spectacular affair, drawing a who is who of Ghanaian and African entertainment.
Among the Ghanaian stars who graced the event were Fred Amugi, Jackie Appiah, Yvonne Nelson, Nana Ama McBrown, Kweku Manu, Dr Likee, Juliet Ibrahim, Salma Mumin, Hajia4Reall, AJ Poundz, Ahuofe Patri, Charly DGH, and James Gardiner.
Nigerian representation was strong, with actors Deyemi Okanlawon, Daniel Etim Effiong, and celebrated filmmaker Kunle Afolayan all walking the red carpet, underscoring the deepening creative ties between Ghana and Nigeria.
A major highlight was an emotional tribute to legendary highlife musician Daddy Lumba, veteran actress Beverly Afaglo, and Nigerian actor Alexx Ekubo, with a cross-border performance that moved the audience.
The National Film Authority used the platform to urge stakeholders to contribute to a film industry fund, signaling a push for greater financial and institutional backing for the sector
The leadership of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), present at the ceremony, praised the Ghana Movie Awards for its forward-looking approach.
“The Ghana Movie Awards is holding the fort for the creative economy,” a chamber spokesperson said. “Film is the mother industry. Any initiative that sustains the film sector multiplies jobs across the entire economy.”
With his maiden GMA win, Mawuko Kuadzi has
now achieved a rare triple: Ghana Leadership Awards honoree (2024), two-time ARTIOS winner (2025, 2026), and now the first ever Best Casting Director at the Ghana Movie Awards.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Budding gospel artiste Kesewaa Kessy has released emotional-awakening music single titled “Jesus Endorsement”.
The song, which is the first single off her debut Extended Play (EP) of the same title, seeks to remind Christians of the power of divine approval over human validation.
With the new release, Kesewaa Kessy urges listeners to live a life anchored in Christ, stressing that purpose is greater than popularity.
To complement the audio, the singer has also released a colourful official music video for the song. The video premiered on 3Music TV is now available on YouTube.
“Jesus Endorsement” is being released under Media Excel, a Ghanaian company known for promoting gospel talents.
The song is now streaming on all major digital platforms.
Stream/Watch here: https://bfan.link/jesus-endorsement
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghanaian musician Sparqlyn is set to release another big hit.
His latest release, ‘Rosina,’ features Germany-based Ghanaian musician, video director, and sound engineer TEENO (known privately as Eric Kwame Tamakloe).
TEENO’s project ‘Signs’ was recently accepted by the Grammys for official consideration in the ‘Album of the Year’ category. Now, ‘Rosina’ is making serious waves across the airwaves.
Coming shortly after the impressive reception to his previous single ‘Fameko,’ ‘Rosina’ is already receiving strong attention from music lovers and radio listeners.
This new song carries an infectious Afrobeats and Hiplife feel while maintaining the romantic direction that characterised ‘Fameko,’ Sparqlyn’s 2026 Highlife collaboration with Ziya.
‘Fameko’ marked an important moment in Sparqlyn’s musical journey, with the love-themed highlife record receiving positive reactions from music lovers and media platforms following its June 2026 release.
The song became one of the highlights of his 2026 output, ranking high on multiple charts.
‘Fameko’ has also bagged Sparqlyn two top nominations: “Highlife Song of the Year” and “Artist of the Year” at the 2026 Stars Awards.
The combination of a romantic storyline, Afrobeats rhythm, and Hiplife influence give the song a sound that fits comfortably into the current Ghanaian music landscape.
The timing of the song’s release could also prove significant for the award-winning artiste. Sparqlyn recently secured two nominations at the 2026 Ghana Youth Empowerment Awards, where he is in contention for Youth Empowerment Advocate of the Year and Outstanding Youth Personality of the Year.
With ‘Fameko’ having established strong momentum earlier in the year and ‘Rosina’ now beginning to enjoy significant airplay, Sparqlyn appears to be ending another eventful chapter of his musical career on a high note.
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