Ghanaian casting director Mawuko Kuadzi has called for a dedicated fundraising initiative to create sustainable funding for the country’s creative sector, drawing inspiration from the recent World Cup fundraiser for the Black Stars.
Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM with Doreen Avio and Kwame Dadzie, the two-time Artios Awards winner emphasized that deliberate planning and high-profile support could unlock significant resources for Ghana’s film and entertainment industries.
He suggested replicating the model used for the World Cup, where creatives played a central role in raising funds, even though the event was unrelated to football. “The President should be involved, just as he was this time. Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale may have nothing to do with football, but their influence helped raise funds. If we creatives have the same stars, we should leverage them too,” he said.
Mawuko noted that influential individuals and organizations would likely support such an initiative if approached properly. “There are many people who can invest in film. Call someone like Despite for a film fundraiser, and they will understand—they will donate. This World Cup example shows the way, and we should follow it,” he added.
He proposed that a dedicated fund could be used to produce a world-class film capable of showcasing Ghana internationally and earning recognition at major awards like the Oscars.
On the GH¢20 million allocation for the film industry in the 2026 budget, Mawuko urged caution against spreading the funds too thinly among multiple projects. Instead, he recommended investing in a single high-quality production that tells Ghana’s story on a global stage.
Mawuko Kuadzi is an internationally acclaimed casting director based in Ghana, renowned for discovering exceptional talent and placing them in projects that elevate global productions. His credits include Beast of No Nation, Treadstone, Black Earth Rising, Azali, The Fisherman, and the NFL Super Bowl commercial Born to Play.
He has won multiple Artios Awards, including Best International Feature for The Fisherman and Best Casting for a Commercial at the 40th Artios Awards. Mawuko is also the first West African member of the Casting Society of America (CSA) and has managed talents such as Abraham Attah and musician Worlasi.