Ghana’s creative arts industry has lost one of its most enduring figures, veteran actress Grace Nortey, who reportedly died at the age of 89.
Nortey passed away at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, bringing to an end a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, radio, television and film.
Born on February 1, 1937, the veteran actress celebrated her 89th birthday earlier this year.
Her death marks the passing of a generation of performers who played a major role in establishing Ghanaian theatre and television as powerful forms of entertainment and cultural expression.
Nortey began her career in theatre before becoming a familiar face on Ghanaian television, particularly during the period widely regarded as the golden age of local drama.
She also made her mark on radio in the 1970s as host of Nyeawokoshie, a programme for Ga women broadcast on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio One.
Her transition into film further cemented her status as one of Ghana’s respected screen performers, with her first major film appearance coming in the 1986 production Juju.
Over the years, Nortey featured in several notable Ghanaian and international productions, including 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.
She became particularly recognised for portraying strong and assertive female characters, often bringing authority, emotional depth and realism to her roles.
Her performances also connected her to an era when television productions such as Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Taxi Driver and Thursday Theatre attracted large audiences and helped establish a distinct Ghanaian television culture.
A Legacy Recognised
Nortey’s contribution to the creative industry earned her several honours over the years.
Among them was a Lifetime Achievement Award presented at the Black Star International Film Festival in 2018. She was also recognised at the Ghana Movie Awards, the Glitz Women of the Year Honours and the 3Music Awards Women’s Brunch.
In 2025, she was among veteran Ghanaian actors honoured at the Ashanti Festival for her contribution to the country’s film industry.
Although her public appearances and acting roles became less frequent in her later years, Nortey remained a respected and cherished figure among generations of Ghanaians who grew up watching her performances.
Her passing therefore represents more than the loss of an actress; it closes another chapter in the history of Ghanaian theatre, television and film.
For more than 50 years, Grace Nortey used her craft to entertain audiences, portray Ghanaian experiences and contribute to the development of the country’s creative arts industry.
Her body of work is expected to continue serving as a reference point for younger generations of actors and filmmakers as Ghana remembers one of its enduring cultural icons.
