Grace Nortey, a seasoned Ghanaian actress, has passed away at the age of 89. According to reports, she passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC).
Grace, who celebrated her 89th birthday on February 1, was a cherished figure in the performing arts, recognized for her exceptional contributions to both screen and stage over a career that lasted for more than five decades. The legacy she has left behind will continue to motivate numerous individuals.
She became widely known for her roles in popular Ghanaian television and film productions, including Obra, Osofo Dadzie, Nana Akoto, Sinking Sands, Ties That Bind and Beasts of No Nation. She was also popularly known as “Maame Gyata” because of the strong and commanding characters she often portrayed.
Beyond acting, Nortey worked across theatre, television and radio, becoming part of a generation that helped shape Ghana’s local entertainment industry.
Her legacy also continued through her family, with her daughter, actress Sheila Nortey, following in her footsteps.
Several Ghanaian media outlets have reported her death, but details surrounding the circumstances of her passing have not been publicly disclosed. Funeral and burial arrangements are also yet to be announced.
Grace Nortey’s reported death at 89 closes a remarkable chapter in Ghanaian entertainment.
From theatre and television to internationally recognised film productions, she spent more than five decades building a body of work that made her familiar to generations of Ghanaian audiences.
