Semevo makes a perpetual bow today
Members of the film and acting industry and by extension, the entertainment sector, are expected to converge on the National Theatre today to bid their final farewell to a colleague, Mawuli Semevo. Semevo, 63, a versatile actor passed away on February 20 after sustaining severe burns during a fire outbreak in his home on February 7.
The burial will be preceded by a burial service at the National Theatre before the body will be conveyed to his hometown, Wuti in the Volta Region for interment.
Until his death, he was the director of the National Drama Company, one of the three resident companies of the National Theatre.
He has been a popular face on the screens since the 1990s, with his exceptional acting qualities, aptly defined in many productions.
Talent, impact
His recent performance was in April last year when he played the role of Baba Fakunle in the adaption of Ola Rotimi’s ‘The Gods are Not to Blame’ by Image Bureau and April Productions staged at the National Theatre, which had several reruns on popular request.
Undoubtedly, his collection of movies shows who is who of Ghanaian cinema, with standout performances in movies such as ‘Harvest at 17’, ‘A Stab in the Dark’, and ‘Like Cotton Twines.
But Semevo's impact went far beyond his performances. He inspired a generation of actors, writers and directors, helping to shape the very fabric of the Ghanaian theatre and film industry.
His dedication to his craft, his passion for storytelling and his commitment to excellence raised the bar for everyone around him.
Profile
Born in 1962 in Chorkor, Accra, Semevo’s journey into acting began under humble circumstances. He attended Cambridge Preparatory School before moving to Presbyterian Training College, where he discovered his passion for drama.
In 1980, while still in training college, Semevo performed in his first stage play.
This led him to join the Ghana Theatre Club at the Arts Centre in 1981 and later enrol at the School of Performing Arts in 1984.
These formative years laid the foundation for a career that would see him become one of Ghana’s most revered actors.
