‘I lost a brother’ — Pete Edochie recalls friendship with late J.J Rawlings

Veteran Nollywood actor Chief Pete Edochie has recalled his friendship with former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings, describing the late statesman as a “brother” because of their close relationship, striking physical resemblance and shared birth year.

Rawlings died on November 12, 2020.

Edochie, who arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, for the Accra Legacy Week, said he was deeply saddened by Rawlings’ death, recalling their last meeting during one of his previous visits to the country.

The veteran actor said he and Rawlings spent considerable time together during the visit, discussing a number of issues, with the former president expressing plans to visit Nigeria.

“I tell you the truth, I’m sad. You know, the last time I was in Ghana, I visited him. We had a very good time together. We discussed extensively, and he promised me he was going to come to Nigeria,” Edochie said.

He also recalled how photographs of the two together sparked conversations in Nigeria because of their physical resemblance.

“When I got to Nigeria, a lot of people had seen the photograph of the two of us and they were telling me, look, this man is your brother actually,” he said.

Edochie further noted that he and Rawlings were born in the same year, 1947, just three months apart.

“I was born in March of 1947. He was born in June. We were born three months apart,” he said.

The actor also recounted how he first learned of Rawlings’ death in November 2020, saying he initially struggled to believe the reports he received from Ghana.

“When I heard that the mother had died, I phoned Ghana and the person I got was telling me that Rawlings had died. I said, you’re mad,” he recalled.

Edochie said that when journalists later approached him for comments about the former president, he described the loss as that of a brother.

“When people came to interview me for my comments on him, I said, well, I lost a brother, but okay, that’s the way God wants it,” he said.

Returning to Ghana years after Rawlings’ death has also been emotionally difficult for the actor, particularly knowing that he would not be able to meet his friend again.

“So, you know, coming to Ghana and knowing I will not see my friend Rawlings is… I don’t know. Well, I tried to cope with it,” he said.

Edochie added that he hoped to visit Rawlings’ grave during his stay in Ghana to pay his respects.

“If I have time, depending on my producer, I would like to go to his grave. I want to pay some respect to him when I go to his grave,” he said.

Edochie is in Ghana as part of the Legacy Project at the Accra Legacy Week, an initiative celebrating his contributions to African cinema, storytelling and culture while preserving his experiences for future generations.

He is in Ghana alongside several other prominent Nigerian actors and actresses, including Destiny Etiko, Mike Ezuruonye, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Francis Odega and Patience Ozorkwor.

His visit has also provided an opportunity to reflect on his long-standing connections with Ghana and his personal friendship with one of the country’s most prominent former leaders.