Ghana’s entertainment industry has lost one of its most celebrated veteran performers, Grace Nortey, who has died at the age of 89.
The legendary actress reportedly passed away at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
Nortey’s death brings to an end a remarkable career spanning more than five decades, during which she made significant contributions to Ghanaian theatre, radio, television and film.
Born on February 1, 1937, Nortey celebrated her 89th birthday on February 1, 2026.
She was widely regarded as one of the defining personalities of Ghana’s theatre and television scene, particularly during the era considered the golden age of local television drama.
From theatre to television and film
Nortey began her career in theatre before becoming a familiar face to television audiences across Ghana.
Her versatility and commanding presence allowed her to transition successfully across different forms of entertainment, including radio, television and film.
In the 1970s, she hosted Nyeawokoshie, a radio programme targeted at Ga women on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio One.
She later made her major film debut in the 1986 production Juju, beginning a film career that would see her appear in several acclaimed Ghanaian productions.
Among the films and productions in which she featured were Nana Akoto, The Other Side of the Rich, Escape to Love, Matters of the Heart, Ties That Bind, Sinking Sands and Beasts of No Nation.
A defining presence in Ghanaian drama
Nortey became particularly recognised for portraying strong and authoritative female characters.
Her ability to combine emotional depth with a commanding screen presence made her one of the most recognisable actresses of her generation.
She rose to prominence at a time when Ghanaian television productions such as Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Taxi Driver and Thursday Theatre attracted large audiences.
For many Ghanaians, her performances became part of the country’s television culture and helped establish a generation of actors who would influence Ghana’s creative industry for years to come.
Honours for a distinguished career
Nortey’s contribution to Ghana’s creative arts earned her several awards and recognitions throughout her career.
In 2018, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Black Star International Film Festival.
She was also honoured at the Ghana Movie Awards, the Glitz Women of the Year Honours and the 3Music Awards Women’s Brunch.
In 2025, Nortey was among veteran Ghanaian actors honoured at the Ashanti Festival, recognising her contribution to Ghana’s film industry.
Remembered across generations
Although her appearances became less frequent in her later years, Nortey remained an influential and much-loved figure in Ghana’s entertainment history.
Her career connected several generations of Ghanaian audiences, from those who watched her during the golden age of television drama to younger viewers who encountered her work through film and subsequent television productions.
Her death is therefore not only a loss to the film and theatre community but also marks the passing of an important figure in Ghana’s cultural history.
With a career lasting more than five decades, Grace Nortey leaves behind a body of work that helped shape Ghanaian theatre, television and film and established her as one of the country’s enduring cultural icons.
