Veteran Ghanaian actor Kofi Laing, known in showbiz as Kohwe, has been reported dead.Comfort Laing, who is a daughter to the actor, confirmed the sad news to local media. According to Comfort, her father passed away at his residence in Accra on the evening of Thursday, September 16, 2021.
According to reports, Kohwe who suffered stroke is believed to be around age 75. A few days ago, photos of the sad state of the veteran Ghanaian actor went viral. The photos showed stricken Kohwe sitting on the laps of an unidentified young man.
The comic actor, who is known for his role in the Ghanaian colonial concept sitcom ‘District Colonial Court’, has been an inspiration to the new crop of comic actors.
In 2019, he told local media that people shouldn’t wait for him to die before they pour out tributes to him.
“Don’t wait for me to die, before you pay glowing tribute to me for my wonderful contribution. Your tribute will be meaningless because it will not bring me back to life”.
Kohwe
He then urged leaders of the country and the public to care for the plight of old actors who through their gift brought laughter and eased tension in many homes.
According to him, what they did cannot be quantified, considering the positive impacts it brought in many homes and the country as a whole. He said some of his colleagues died as paupers because there was no assistance from anywhere.
For him, in their days, the movie industry was not rewarding in monetary terms, and it was against that backdrop, those in the helm of affairs must care about their plight in old age.
Speaking during another interview in 2019, Kohwe noted that, after many years of service, he can’t even afford a car tire.
“I cannot even boast of a car tire despite my years of service with the Foreign Affairs Ministry as well as the film industry”.
Kohwe
He further explained that he began acting because he had passion for the job and not necessarily because of its gains.
Ursula Owusu comes to the aid of Kofi Laing
Kohwe’s call for support fell on the ears of many and some showed support and amongst such aids was Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
It can be recalled that in 2020, the Ablekuma West Member of Parliament, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful promised to support Kofi Laing.
The MP paid a visit to the actor while on tour in the constituency to check up on sick residents and older people ahead of the December 2020 elections.
In a “hearty” conversation with the actor, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stated that regardless of the struggles Kohwe, revealed he was proud to have chosen acting and comedy as a profession. Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful wrote in a Facebook post.
“(Kohwe) holds no regret quitting his job at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1965 to do comedy”.
Ursula
The Communications Minister then stated that her team was ready to help and support the once vibrant entertainer.
“I assured him to hold on to life and be hopeful as some of us will continue to support and allow God to do his part. Ablekuma West da m’akoma so. You matter to me”.
Ursula
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