Ghana has lost one of its most formidable cultural icons. Veteran actress Grace Nortey, a pioneering figure whose commanding presence defined generations of theatre, television, and film, has passed away at the age of 89 .
Nortey reportedly died in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) . She was born on February 1, 1937, and her death comes just months before she would have celebrated her 90th birthday .
Her passing marks the end of a career spanning more than five decades, during which she became one of the most recognisable faces in Ghanaian entertainment . For generations of audiences, Nortey was the embodiment of the strong, outspoken, and authoritative matriarch, a legacy that earned her the beloved nickname “Maame Gyata” —meaning Lion Woman or Lion Lady .
A Career That Defined an Era
Grace Nortey’s journey through Ghana’s creative landscape began long before the modern film industry took shape. She first made her mark in theatre before gaining wider recognition through the golden era of Ghanaian television . Her major screen debut came in the 1986 comic film Juju, produced by King Ampaw .
She became a household name through her appearances in some of Ghana’s most cherished television productions, including Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Key Soap Concert Party, Cantata, Taxi Driver, and Thursday Theatre . Her role in Osofo Dadzie, a series that ran from the 1970s into the 1980s and dramatised Ghanaian folklore and social issues, remains one of her most celebrated performances .
Nortey’s influence also extended to radio. In the 1970s, she hosted Nyeawokoshie, a programme on GBC Radio One tailored for Ga women, further cementing her role as a pioneer in media .
Her filmography reads like a history of Ghanaian cinema, including Nana Akoto, The Other Side of the Rich, Escape to Love, Matters of the Heart, Expectations, Jewels, and The Ties That Bind . In 2011, she appeared in the critically acclaimed drama Sinking Sands, playing the role of Grandma .
International Acclaim
While her work was deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture, Nortey’s talent also garnered international recognition. She appeared in the 2015 Netflix war film Beasts of No Nation, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Idris Elba and Abraham Attah . Shot in Ghana, the film saw Nortey play the role of the Old Witch Woman, introducing her formidable screen presence to a global audience .
Accolades and Recognition
Nortey’s immense contribution to the arts was recognised with numerous awards throughout her later career. In 2011, she won Best Cameo Actress at the Ghana Movie Awards for her role in Adams Apple . In 2016, she received the Excellence in Arts award at the Glitz Women of the Year Honours .
Her legacy was further cemented in 2018 with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Black Star International Film Festival . In 2021, she was honoured for Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Excellence in the Performing Arts at the 3Music Awards Women’s Brunch . As recently as April 2025, she was celebrated during the Ashanti Festival for her enduring contribution to Ghanaian entertainment .
A Life Beyond the Screen
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Nortey worked as a Senior Administrative Assistant with the Ghana Education Service . She was married to the late Daniel Nortey, and the couple had five children, including actress Sheila Nortey, who followed in her mother’s footsteps .
In her later years, Nortey reduced her acting commitments due to mobility and eyesight challenges, though she remained open to smaller roles that allowed her to work from scenarios and improvise . A resurfaced anecdote from actor Mr Beautiful revealed a poignant moment when President John Mahama visited Nortey in 2022, during which she expressed a wish for him to return to the presidency .
Grace Nortey’s passing is more than the loss of an actress; it is the closing of a chapter in Ghana’s cultural history. She connected the early days of radio and theatre with the modern film industry, leaving behind a body of work that will continue to inspire for generations .
