One of Ghana's most loved entertainers has been honoured for a lifetime of work. Veteran actress and broadcaster Grace Omaboe, popularly known as Maame Dokono, received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Pete Edochie Legacy Project gala in Ghana.
According to YEN.com.gh, the award was presented at the Pete Edochie Legacy Project Gala and Grand Unveiling on October 4, 2026. GhanaWeb also reported the honour, describing it as recognition of her contribution to Ghana's film industry.
YEN.com.gh reports that the award was presented by Hon. Maxwell Boakye, the Council of State member representing the Western Region. GhanaWeb reports that she received a plaque in recognition of her dedication, impact and years of service to Ghanaian cinema, as well as her role in preserving and promoting African storytelling.
For millions of Ghanaians, Maame Dokono will always be linked to By the Fireside, the long-running television programme built around folklore, storytelling and moral lessons. Families gathered around their television sets to watch her bring traditional tales to life, and the show became a fixture of Ghanaian childhood for a generation.
Beyond that iconic role, she has had a decades-long career across television, film and theatre, as well as working as a TV presenter. Her work has helped keep Ghanaian storytelling traditions alive at a time when foreign content increasingly filled local screens.
The gala was the centrepiece of the Pete Edochie Legacy Project, which celebrates the Nigerian screen legend's decades-long contribution to African cinema, culture and storytelling. Edochie arrived in Ghana on September 29 for the launch, which formed part of Accra Legacy Week, according to Adomonline.
During his visit, Edochie spoke emotionally about his friendship with former President Jerry John Rawlings, recalling how people used to call them brothers because of their resemblance. He said it was sad to return to Ghana without being able to see his late friend.
Edochie himself is one of Nollywood's most celebrated actors. His portrayal of Okonkwo in the 1980s television adaptation of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart made him a household name, and he was awarded Nigeria's MFR national honour in 2003 for his contribution to the arts.
Honouring a Ghanaian veteran at an event built around a Nigerian icon fits the spirit of the project, which celebrates African storytellers whose work has crossed borders. Ghanaian and Nigerian audiences have shared films, television and stars for decades, and figures such as Edochie and Maame Dokono are respected on both sides.
The award comes at a time when Ghana's creative industry is having a wider conversation about how it treats its veterans. In recent weeks, the industry has mourned veteran actress Grace Nortey, whose funeral is set for October 31, and heard veteran actor Osofo Moses appeal publicly for help with his medical bills.
Against that background, honouring Maame Dokono while she can see and enjoy the recognition carries special meaning. For a generation that grew up watching By the Fireside, it is a chance to thank her for her part in their upbringing.
Maame Dokono's influence can be seen in many Ghanaian performers and storytellers who grew up watching her. Her emphasis on folklore, language and moral lessons has inspired efforts to bring traditional stories to new audiences through television, radio and digital platforms.
For younger viewers who may not know her work, the award is also a reminder of the foundations on which today's Ghanaian entertainment industry was built.
Talk Talk congratulates Maame Dokono on this well-deserved honour.
