Ghana's creative industry is in mourning after the death of actor, comedian and broadcaster Seth Kwame Dzokoto. Best known as Judge Koboo in the popular television series Efiewura and as host of TV3's food and tourism show Edziban, he died on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the age of 51, according to a report by Graphic Online.
Dzokoto fell ill during a live discussion programme at Owass FM, a radio station in Tarkwa in the Western Region. According to YEN.com.gh, the station's morning show host, Prince Kwaw Gyimah, said the discussion began at about 8:45 am, and that Dzokoto had driven himself to the station that morning.
When the team noticed he was unwell, the programme was suspended and he was rushed to a hospital in Tarkwa, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, the reports say. No cause of death has been officially announced.
Owass FM confirmed the medical emergency, expressed condolences and asked the public to respect the family's privacy and avoid speculation, YEN.com.gh reports. The presenter has since been praised by listeners and viewers for the calm way he handled the situation.
Dzokoto became a familiar face across Ghana through Efiewura, the much-loved local comedy series, in which he played Judge Koboo alongside his on-screen wife, Benyiwaa. On television, he later hosted Edziban on TV3, a programme that explored Ghanaian cuisine and food culture, Graphic Online reports.
He also worked in radio, including at Skyy Power FM in Takoradi and Hello FM in Kumasi, and did comedy and advertising voice-over work.
He was recently present at the media launch of The 70 Slate: A Cinematic Celebration of Ghana at 70, a three-film project by Shirley Frimpong-Manso and Peter Sedufia marking Ghana's 70th independence anniversary in 2027, and was named among its cast, according to Graphic Online.
Beyond entertainment, Dzokoto was active in politics. He contested the Tarkwa-Nsuaem parliamentary seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2016 general election but lost to the New Patriotic Party's George Mireku Duker. In August 2025, he graduated from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College with a master's degree in Defence and International Politics, Graphic Online reports.
YEN.com.gh reports that NDC General Secretary Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey led party members in a minute's silence in his honour at the party's headquarters.
Colleagues from across the industry have paid tribute. Actor and comedian Kwadwo Dickson described him as a brother. "The creative industry has lost a legend," he said in a video, according to YEN.com.gh.
Actor Van Vicker recalled enjoying his shows and repeating his famous catchphrase. "I have always enjoyed his TV shows and repeated his 'Dzidzii' slogan. RIP," he wrote, according to the Ghana News Agency.
Ahuofe Patricia wrote that her heart was broken, while Efiewura co-star Koo Fori shared clips from the series, saying he was "so sad and heartbroken." The official Efiewura page posted a photo of Judge Koboo with Benyiwaa, captioned "Only God Knows."
The news broke on the same day as the Ghana Legends Awards at the National Theatre in Accra. Actor Agya Koo, speaking at the event, said he found the news hard to believe at first because of past false rumours, and described it as very sad given that the awards were meant to honour industry legends, YEN.com.gh reports.
For a generation of Ghanaians, Dzokoto's comic timing on Efiewura was part of family television viewing. Local-language comedies like it played a big role in Ghanaian TV in the 2000s and 2010s, giving many actors national fame and offering viewers humour rooted in everyday life.
The family has not yet announced funeral arrangements. Talk Talk extends its condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and fans.
