From theatre halls to film sets: Celebrating the life and career of Grace Nortey

Stories and facts

Born on 1 February 1937, Grace Nortey began her journey in the 1970s through NAFTI‑linked productions and quickly became a household name during the golden age of Ghanaian drama, often cast as a fearless matriarch challenging patriarchy, corruption, and social injustice.

Long before her television fame, she hosted Nyeawokoshie, a 1970s Ga‑language radio talk show that gave Ga women a public voice, and in 1986 she made her first major film appearance in Juju. Her strong screen presence made her unforgettable in classics such as Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Taxi Driver, and Thursday Theatre, and she went on to star in acclaimed films including Matters of the Heart, Nana Akoto, Ties That Bind, Sinking Sands, and the internationally recognised Beasts of No Nation (2015).

In recent years, chronic health issues and failing eyesight have limited her ability to take on physically demanding or heavily scripted roles, but she has continued to accept smaller parts, especially in Ga‑language productions where she can rely more on improvisation.

In 2024, at 87, she publicly affirmed she was still ready for minor roles, and in early 2026 she made a rare public appearance online as she marked her 89th birthday, drawing tributes from fans who still call her “Maame Gyata” (Lion Lady).

Beyond acting, Nortey has been a strong advocate for actors’ welfare through the Ghana Actors Guild and has consistently urged young talents to seek formal training.

Her influence has been honoured with multiple awards, including Best Cameo Actress at the Ghana Movie Awards (2011), Excellence in Arts at the Glitz Women of the Year Honours (2016), a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Black Star International Film Festival (2018), the Legendary Award for Outstanding Contributions at the Ghana Actors Entertainment Award (2020), and Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Excellence in the Performing Arts at the 3Music Awards Women’s Brunch (2021).

In April 2025, she was further honoured with a citation and featured in a documentary at the maiden Ashanti Festival (AshantiFest), reaffirming her status as a cultural icon whose art continues to inspire change and challenge traditions.

Grace Nortey passed away on 26 August 2026 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), just a few months short of her 90th birthday, leaving behind a towering legacy in Ghanaian arts and culture.

Explore the life of Grace Nortey below.