Accra, July 7, GNA – Ghanaian casting director and Africa Image Ambassador Mawuko Kuadzi has been elected to the Global Chapter Board of Governors of the Casting Society of America (CSA) for the 2026-2028 term.
He election marks another historic milestone for African representation in the global entertainment industry.
Kuadzi, who holds the highest rank of Sectoral Content Fellow in the Media and Culture Sector of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), was informed of his election in a letter from CSA Vice President of Governance, Meg Morman.
The CSA Global Chapter Board of Governors, formerly the European Chapter, was renamed in recognition of the Society’s expanding presence around the world.
Mawuko Kuadzi’s election to this prestigious body places him among an elite group of casting professionals shaping the direction of the global casting community.
Mawuko Kuadzi’s election to the CSA Board follows a series of groundbreaking achievements that have redefined African representation in global casting.
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said in 2024, he became the first West African to be accepted as a member of the Casting Society of America.
In 2025, he made history as the first African to win an Artios Award in its 40-year history, taking home the Best Casting for a Commercial award for his work on the NFL Super Bowl commercial “Born to Play”.
He followed this with a second victory at the 41st Artios Awards, winning the Best International Feature category for his casting work on “The Fisherman,” defeating nominees from Japan and Germany.
His Artios Award nominations for “The Fisherman” have brought significant recognition to Ghanaian cinema, with the film winning Best Ghanaian Film at the REFFA Awards and securing the Lead Actor prize for Best Actor in Africa.
Across the continent, leaders of the African Chamber of Content Producers have hailed Mawuko Kuadzi’s election as a victory for Africa’s creative economy and a reflection of the power of Pan-African collaboration.
Mr. Roger Quartey, Chairman of the Media and Culture Sector of the ACCP and veteran Ghanaian filmmaker, described the achievement as historic. “Mawuko Kuadzi continues to break barriers that were once thought unbreakable.
His election to the CSA Global Chapter Board is a statement that African talent belongs at the highest tables of global decision-making.
He is setting an example for every young creative in Ghana and across the continent that excellence knows no borders and that our stories, our craft, and our voices matter,” he said.
Phil Efe Benard, leader of the ACCP in Nigeria and a filmmaker with over 23 years of experience, echoed these sentiments. “Mawuko’s consistent rise on the global stage is a source of immense pride for all of us in the ACCP family. From his historic Artios wins to this latest recognition by the Casting Society of America, he has shown that African creativity, when nurtured and given a platform, can compete with the best in the world. His leadership on the CSA Board will open doors for countless African casting professionals who will now see a clear path to global recognition,” he stated.
Raymond Rushabiro, leader of the ACCP in Uganda and an award-winning actor, celebrated the milestone as a continental achievement. “Mawuko Kuadzi is not just representing Ghana, he is representing Africa.
His election to the CSA Global Chapter Board is a reflection of the growing respect for African storytelling and the professionals who bring those stories to life. As Africans, we must continue to support and celebrate our own, and Mawuko has shown us what is possible when we commit to excellence,” he said.
Rev. Dr. Murphy T. Jackson, leader of the Chamber of Content Producers in Liberia, added his voice to the chorus of celebration. “Mawuko Kuadzi’s elevation to the CSA Board is a powerful reminder that Africa’s creative professionals are not just participants in the global industries, but leaders shaping its future. This is a win for African unity, for the creative economy, and for every young person who dreams of making their mark on the world stage”.
The African business community has also welcomed Kuadzi’s election, viewing it as a significant endorsement of African involvement in global decision-making that directly impacts the continent’s economic interests.
Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, Executive Director of the NuGhana International Expat Center, which works to support diasporans with integration in Ghana and across Africa, described the achievement as a breakthrough for African representation in global branding.
“Casting directors determine the face of brands globally. They decide who represents corporations, products, and institutions to the world. Having an African who understands the terrain of Africa in that position will help ensure the right cultural representation of African brands in global content,” he said.
“This is not just a creative victory but an economic one as well. When African brands are portrayed authentically on the global stage, it builds trust, drives investment, and opens markets. Mawuko Kuadzi’s election is a win for every African business that wants to compete globally.”
Paul Joegad, a Ghanaian film producer based in the United States and CEO of Joegad Films, who has been a vocal advocate for diaspora investment in Africa’s creative economy, also congratulated Mawuko Kuadzi on the milestone.
“Mawuko Kuadzi’s election to the CSA Global Chapter Board is proof that African professionals can compete at the highest levels of the global entertainment industry,” Joegad said.
“As a diaspora-based producer working on the Pan-African series Kismet, I have seen firsthand how Mawuko’s expertise and commitment to authentic African storytelling elevate every project he touches. This recognition will open doors for more African casting directors and creatives to be part of global conversations that shape how Africa is represented on screen. It is a proud moment for all of us in the diaspora who believe in the power of African creativity.”
As an Africa Image Ambassador with the highest rank in the ACCP’s Media and Culture Sector, Mawuko Kuadzi embodies the Chamber’s mission to project, protect, and propel the authentic image of Africa through content and conduct.
His election to the CSA Board further cements his role as a global ambassador for African creative excellence and a role model for young people across the continent and the diaspora.
Mawuko Kuadzi also serves as CEO of MK Casting, co-founder of the Africa Monologue Challenge, a juror for the Uganda Film Festival, Ghanaian representative for the Sotigui Awards, and a board member of the International Casting Directors Association (ICDA).
The ACCP views Kuadzi’s election as a significant step towards establishing a unified African creative market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Members of the Chamber across the world have already expressed excitement about the prospects this milestone will unlock for Africa’s creative sector. The achievement is expected to generate new opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and investment in African film and television production.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba