Veteran Ghanaian actress Grace Nortey has died at the age of 89, bringing an end to a remarkable career that spanned more than five decades in theatre, television and film.
Grace Nortey died in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026. She was born on February 1, 1937.
She became one of the most recognisable faces in Ghanaian entertainment, earning admiration for her powerful performances and memorable portrayals of outspoken, strong-willed and determined women.
Throughout her career, Grace Nortey featured in several notable Ghanaian productions, including Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Nana Akoto, Escape to Love, Ties That Bind and Sinking Sands, where she played the role of Grandma.
She also appeared in the internationally acclaimed 2015 film Beasts of No Nation, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Idris Elba and Abraham Attah. The film was shot in Ghana, with Nortey playing the role of the Old Witch Woman.
Beyond television and film, Grace Nortey established herself in theatre and radio, particularly during the early stages of her career.
In the 1970s, she hosted Nyeawokoshie, a programme targeted at Ga women, further establishing her presence in Ghana’s media and entertainment landscape.
Her role in Osofo Dadzie remains one of her most recognised television appearances. The popular series, which ran from the 1970s into the 1980s, used drama to explore Ghanaian folklore, traditions and social issues.
Nortey continued to work across different generations of Ghanaian actors, appearing in productions such as Lost Hope, Dza Gbele, Matters of the Heart, Sekina, Expectations and Jewels.
Her contribution to the Ghanaian film industry was also recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Black Star International Film Festival.
Away from the screen, Nortey was a mother of five daughters, including actress Sheila Nortey. In a 2024 interview, she reflected on her personal life, including the loss of her husband, Daniel Nortey, and life away from the spotlight.
The death of Grace Nortey has sparked tributes from colleagues, fans and admirers of Ghanaian theatre, television and film, many of whom have celebrated her decades-long contribution to the country’s creative industry.
Her legacy lives on through the generations of performers and audiences she influenced during a career that helped shape Ghana’s entertainment landscape.
By : Rachael Djabakie