Evans Hunter goes home today

Isaac Yeboah Showbiz News Aug - 03 - 2013 , 17:02 3 minutes read

Actor, writer and theatre director, Evans Nii Oma Hunter, who died in Accra on Tuesday, June 4, will be buried today, August 3 at the Osu Cemetery in Accra.

The man will be remembered for several reasons but many of those conversant with his exploits in the arts, attest to the fact that Hunter didn’t have the habit of waiting around for government or any agency or personality to offer help before embarking on the projects dear to his heart.

He whole-heartedly loved the arts and had the courage to throw himself and personal resources into it. He strongly believed in the adage that heaven helps those who help themselves so he applied himself diligently to his acting, writing and directing.

He was most comfortable working for himself and turning over some of the gains from his myriad of business interests into his artistic endeavours.

Tributes have flooded in from many players in the arts and creative business who knew Hunter well.

Mrs Emmy Frimpong, the Deputy Executive Director (Artistic) at the National Theatre acted alongside Hunter in King Ampaw’s Kukurantumi –Road To Accra film and she described him as a personality who had a positive impact on the lives of the people he came into contact with.

“In life, there are people who cross our paths that are memorable and their legacy remains with you for such a very long time. This is the impression Evans Oma Hunter had on me. He was a great actor and it was a privilege to work with him. The industry has lost a great man and a great asset,” Mrs Frimpong said.

Poet Professor Atukwei Okai stated that he had not only suffered the death of a brother but a great Ghanaian artist, who left behind fond memories of the high quality of his art. He described Hunter as an astute actor who gave off his best in everything he did.

Veteran actor and a long-time friend of Hunter, Enoch Botchway, described him as an energetic man who was possessed with acting. He said Hunter was a person with hunger for success and had no time for people who were not ready to succeed because “he had no time to fail.”

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie said she first met Hunter in 1985. She said his passion for excellence and desire to groom young people interested in culture and the arts was what drew her to him.

“The industry has lost a great icon, leader and a mentor. We need to celebrate those who started the journey before us and I hope that we celebrate him well.” the deputy minister stated.

Film and stage director, Kwaw Ansah, recollected the role Hunter played in his (Ansah’s) play titled A Mother’s Tears where he (Hunter) earned a standing ovation after the play.

“He was unique in creativity and handled every role he played on both stage and in film with such passion and creativity,” Ansah said about Hunter.

Prof. Nii Yartey of the University of Ghana Dance Department said Hunter was a very principled man with vision.