Veteran Nigerian actor Chief Pete Edochie has described Ghana as “a second home” as he paid tribute to his late friend, former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings.
Speaking to Ghana-based comic Parrot Mouth, Chief Edochie said he was saddened by Rawlings’ death, recalling their close friendship and a recent meeting they had before his death.
“I tell you the truth, I’m sad. The last time I was in Ghana, I visited him, we had some very good time together, we discussed extensively and he promised me he was going to come to Nigeria,” he said.
He said some people who saw photos of him and Rawlings assumed they were brothers.
Mr Edochie said the two were born only three months apart in 1947, with him being born in March and Rawlings in June.
He recalled phoning someone in Ghana after hearing that Rawlings’ mother had died, only to be informed that Rawlings himself had also passed away.
He said when he was interviewed on the news, he could only say: “Well, I lost a brother but okay, if that’s how God wants it.”
“Coming to Ghana and knowing I will not see my friend Rawlings is…” he said, indicating the weight of the moment for him.
Mr Edochie said he hoped to visit Rawlings’ grave to pay his respects.
He also expressed hope of reuniting with another friend, actor Emmanuel Armah, whom he said had been sick for a long time.
He also mentioned actress Moesha Buduong, recalling that she played his wife in a production in Ghana.
“She played my wife in a production in Ghana here. The last time she called me, she said she had a stroke,” he said.
Recalls Ghana-Nigeria football rivalry
Mr Edochie also recalled Ghana’s 7-0 victory over Nigeria in a football match in 1957, the year Ghana gained independence.
“You beat us so badly, I don’t want to talk about it again here,” he said, laughing.
Mr Edochie is in Ghana as part of Accra Legacy Week, a celebration of African personalities who have contributed to shaping the continent’s culture and entertainment.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
