The curtains came down on the remarkable life of veteran actress Grace Nortey when she died at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026. She was 89.
Born on February 1, 1937, Grace Nortey leaves behind a legacy spanning more than five decades, during which she became one of the most recognisable faces in Ghanaian theatre, television and film.
Known for her strong and commanding performances, she often brought outspoken and determined female characters to life, earning her a special place in the hearts of audiences across generations.
Her career took her through some of Ghana's most memorable productions, including Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Nana Akoto, Escape to Love, Ties That Bind and Sinking Sands. She also featured in the internationally acclaimed 2015 film Beasts of No Nation, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, in which she played the Old Witch Woman.
Beyond the screen, Grace Nortey also made her mark on radio, hosting Nyeawokoshie, a programme targeted at Ga women in the 1970s. (Read Veteran actress Grace Nortey dies at 89)
In a 2018 interview with Graphic Showbiz, the actress, then 82, said age had not completely taken away her love for acting. Although challenges with her eyesight made it difficult for her to read lengthy scripts, she remained willing to take on less demanding roles.
“When the role is not too demanding and I don’t have to read long scripts, I can manage,” she told Graphic Showbiz.
She said acting kept boredom away and gave her something meaningful to do, adding that she particularly enjoyed working with younger actors, including Adjetey Anang.
Her passing has drawn tributes from personalities within and outside the creative industry. Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia described her as a “true trailblazer and cultural icon,” whose career brought joy to homes and inspired many young women in the creative arts.
Actor Van Vicker also paid tribute to the late actress, saying she “contributed to the arts, setting the stage for a number of us,” adding that Ghana had lost “some collective memory.”
A mother of five daughters, including actress Sheila Nortey, Grace Nortey's journey connected the early days of Ghanaian theatre and television drama to the modern film industry.
For more than five decades, she entertained, inspired and helped shape Ghana's creative landscape. Her passing may have closed a chapter, but the memories she created on stage and screen will continue to live on.
