John Dumelo (R) and others paying their last respects to the late Grace Nortey
Veteran Ghanaian actress, Grace Naa Kwarley Nortey, has been laid to rest following a funeral service attended by hundreds of mourners, including prominent figures from the entertainment industry and politics.
The ceremony took place at the forecourt of the State House in Accra on Saturday, October 31, with veteran actress Maame Dokono, Nana Ama McBrown, Lydia Forson, Kalsum Sinare and actor and politician, John Dumelo, among those who gathered to honour her memory.
Representatives of the Ghana Actors Guild, industry colleagues, family members, and fans also attended the service to celebrate the actress’s life, whose contributions to Ghanaian entertainment spanned several decades.
Her burial was held privately, with only close family members in attendance. In keeping with the family’s arrangements, there was no wake, while mourners wore white outfits as requested.
A thanksgiving service was held on Sunday, November 1, at 8am at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Osu.
Grace Nortey died on August 26, 2026, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre at the age of 89.
Born on February 1, 1937, she was widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures in Ghana’s acting industry.
Her career covered theatre, television, film and radio, earning her recognition through popular productions such as ‘Obra’, ‘Osofo Dadzie’, ‘Nana Akoto’, ‘Escape to Love’ and ‘Ties That Bind’.
She also featured in films including ‘Sinking Sands’, ‘Lost Hope’ and ‘Matters of the Heart’, and gained international exposure through her appearance in the 2015 Netflix film Beasts of No Nation.
Beyond acting, Grace Nortey hosted ‘Nyeawokoshie’, a radio programme for Ga women in the 1970s. Her contribution to the creative arts was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Black Star International Film Festival.
She is survived by five daughters, including actress Sheila Nortey. Her passing attracted tributes from several prominent personalities, including former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who described her as a trailblazer and cultural icon.