GRi Arts & Culture 23 – 01 - 2003

Abbey Okai dies on the job

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 23 January 2003 - After an acting career that spanned the best part of forty years, perhaps William Abbey Okai himself did not prefer the way he died-dramatically and on the job.

Abbey Okai arrived in Kumasi from Accra last Monday 20 January to shoot two films-Exchange and Danfo Pa for Miracle Films Company. From 2:30 pm till about 1:00 am on Tuesday, he, together with the cast and crew were busy on set at Lake Bosumtwi Paradise Resort. By 8:00am actor William Abbey Okai had passed away.

Aduana Hotel, where the production team were lodging was thrown into a state of confusion when news of Abbey Okai’s death got there. It was a mixture of shock and grief. “No it cannot be true, how can he die just like that?” were the exact words of Graphic Showbiz when Samuel Nyamekye, CEO of Miracle Films and director of the production formally announced his death at an emergency meeting.

At 7:00am, the information was that Atta Abbey, as he was often called, had been rushed to Hospital, after he had complained about having difficulty in breathing. According to Paa George, another actor, the production manager had asked him to share Abbey Okai’s room since the hotel was fully booked. He however opted to sleep at the reception because he felt the bed was too small to accommodate the two of them.

Paa George says he went to their room in the morning to bathe but met Abbey in the bathroom. In no time Abbey was done and even borrowed his (Paa George’s) toothpaste saying he was yet to buy some.

Both men later came down later. Paa George recalls, “he almost fell at the reception and said it was something to do with his heart but he was alright after that. He walked to the gate, held on it and said, “Paa George I am dying, I can’t breathe.”

By this time, the production manager, Bernard Aduse-Poku and another actor Daniel Adeleye had appeared on the scene. They quickly hired a taxi to take him to the City Hospital where he (Abbey Okai) had requested to be taken, being his regular hospital anytime he was in Kumasi.

At the City Hospital, they were asked to take him to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. By this time they had been joined by the production coordinator, James Aboagye, who together with his colleagues, attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

When they finally got to Okomfo Anokye, James says, “we rushed him straight to the consulting room to the annoyance of the doctor but on examination he was declared dead and we were given this report (which he had in hand) saying that he was “Brought in dead.” Samuel Nyamekye who was beside himself with grief and visibly confused said, “this is a great loss to us but God knows best.”

Productions that Abbey Okai has done for Miracle Films include “Expectations, Evil Forest, Jewels, Visitor and Dabi Dabi.” Miracle Films last December awarded Abbey Okai during the inauguration of the Miracle Actors Guild in Kumasi for his immense contribution to the local film industry.

William Abbey Okai, 62, started his acting career in 1962 when he joined the National Drama Company together with colleagues Emmary Brown, Solomon Sampah and Evans Hunter. In 1967, he was awarded the Certificate of Distinction at the National Festival of Arts.

He worked with CNC in Accra for sometime before joining Abibigromma, the National Drama Company in 1990. He went on retirement in 2001. He worked under distinguished local and foreign directors who include Morriseux Leroy, George Wilson, Scott Kennedy, Robert Blanko, William Bird, W.W. Tamakloe, Bill Marshall, Kwaw Ansah and Mohammed Abdallah.

Abbey Okai has featured prominently on television since 1965 when television was introduced to Ghana. His many honours earned include an ECRAG award and an award from the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI).

Source: The Graphic Showbiz

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