The final farewell for veteran Ghanaian actor Mawuli Yao Semevo occurs today, Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 9:00 am.
A burial service will be held at the National Theatre in Accra, after which he will be laid to rest at Whuti in the Anloga District of the Volta Region.
Ahead of the burial, a solemn vigil was held last Thursday, March 27, at the National Theatre in Mawuli Semevo’s honor.
The event brought together industry players, family, friends, and admirers who gathered to celebrate his life and contributions to the Ghanaian creative arts industry.
Emotional tributes were read by key figures in the industry, including veteran actor David Dontoh and the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Ablah Dzifa Gomashie.
The Ghanaian film industry continues to mourn the loss of the seasoned actor, who passed away following a tragic domestic fire accident. The incident occurred on Friday, February 7, at his residence at the Adenta SSNIT flats.
Semevo, 63, a versatile actor, passed away on February 20 after sustaining severe burns.
Mawuli Semevo was known for his compelling performances and long-standing contribution to the Ghanaian film and theatre space. His death is a great loss to the creative arts fraternity.
Family, friends, colleagues in the arts industry, and well-wishers are expected to gather to pay their last respects at the National Theatre before his final journey to Whuti.
Until his death, he was the director of the National Drama Company, one of the three resident companies of the National Theatre.
He has been a popular face on the screens since the 1990s, with his exceptional acting qualities aptly defined in many productions.
Prominent Personalities Attend Mawuli Semevo’s Funeral
Prominent personalities gathered at the National Theatre to pay their last respects during the funeral rites of late actor Mawuli Semevo.
Among the attendees were Minority leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts Dzifa Gomashie, playwright and media personality George Quaye, and others.
The individuals were dressed in all-black attire as they showed solidarity with the bereaved family and honored the late actor’s memory.
Mawuli Semevo’s Talent, Impact
His recent performance was in April last year when he played the role of Baba Fakunle in the adaption of Ola Rotimi’s ‘The Gods are Not to Blame’ by Image Bureau and April Productions staged at the National Theatre, which had several reruns on popular request.
Undoubtedly, his collection of movies shows who is who of Ghanaian cinema, with standout performances in movies such as ‘Harvest at 17’, ‘A Stab in the Dark’, and ‘Like Cotton Twines.
However, Mawuli Semevo’s impact went far beyond his performances. He inspired a generation of actors, writers, and directors, helping to shape the very fabric of the Ghanaian theatre and film industry.
His dedication to his craft, his passion for storytelling, and his commitment to excellence raised the bar for everyone around him.
Born in 1962 in Chorkor, Accra, Mawuli Semevo’s journey into acting began under humble circumstances. He attended Cambridge Preparatory School before moving to Presbyterian Training College, where he discovered his passion for drama.
In 1980, while still in training college, Semevo performed in his first stage play. This led him to join the Ghana Theatre Club at the Arts Centre in 1981 and later enrol at the School of Performing Arts in 1984.
These formative years laid the foundation for a career that would see him become one of Ghana’s most revered actors.
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