Nigerian screen legend Chief Pete Edochie has described Ghana as his second home, revealing a personal bond with former President Jerry John Rawlings that few Ghanaians had heard about in detail before. Edochie, in Accra for Legacy Week, an event honouring African figures who have shaped the continent's culture and entertainment industry, opened up about his friendship with Rawlings during an interview with Ghanaian comedian Parrot Mouth.
According to Edochie, he and Rawlings were born just three months apart in 1947 — Edochie in March and Rawlings in June. The resemblance between them was so striking that people who saw photographs of the two together often assumed they were brothers. This coincidence sparked a lifelong friendship between the two, with Edochie recalling his last visit with Rawlings before the former president's death.
Edochie shared that during his last visit with Rawlings, the two spent quality time together, with Rawlings promising to travel to Nigeria. Tragically, the news of Rawlings' passing reached Edochie in painful circumstances — he had called a contact in Ghana to offer condolences over the death of Rawlings' mother, only to be told that Rawlings himself had also died. Edochie said he managed to tell an interviewer at the time that he had lost a brother.
Edochie also used the conversation to speak about two well-known figures in Ghana's entertainment industry currently facing health struggles. He mentioned actor Emmanuel Armah, who has reportedly been unwell for an extended period, and expressed hope to reconnect with him. Additionally, he spoke about actress Moesha Buduong, who once played his wife in a Ghanaian production, recalling that in their last conversation she told him she had suffered a stroke.
On a lighter note, Edochie brought up Ghana's 7-0 football victory over Nigeria in 1957, the year Ghana attained independence, joking that the scoreline was still too painful to discuss. "You beat us so badly, I don't want to talk about it again here," he said, laughing. This anecdote highlights the friendly and playful nature of Edochie's relationship with Ghana and its culture.
For Ghanaians, Edochie's remarks offer a rare, personal glimpse into the private side of Jerry Rawlings, a figure who remains central to the country's political history. His comments draw renewed attention to the health challenges facing veteran entertainment figures like Emmanuel Armah and Moesha Buduong, both well known to Ghanaian audiences.
No further timeline for Edochie's activities in Ghana has been given, leaving sources to speculate about whether he will visit Rawlings' grave during this trip or engage in further public events before Accra Legacy Week concludes. Edochie's visit has sparked interest and discussion among Ghanaians, with many appreciating his affection for the country and its people.
Key points
- Pete Edochie describes Ghana as his second home due to strong ties with its culture and people.
- Edochie and Jerry Rawlings shared a decades-long friendship, having been born just three months apart in 1947.
- Edochie expressed concern for Ghanaian colleagues facing health struggles, including Emmanuel Armah and Moesha Buduong.
