Ghana bids Kofi Bucknor farewell

It was a gloomy morning on 30th June 2017 at Christ the King Parish as family, friends, and well-wishers trooped into the church auditorium to pay their last respects to their beloved and legendary actor Charles Kofi Babatunde Bucknor.

The day started early as family and friends drove in all clad in black. Many were seen hugging and shaking hands and encouraging each other to stay strong.

The widow and daughter were seen in uncontrollable tears as they ushered their husband and father respectively paid their last respects to him.

Some of the dignitaries who graced the memorial service include Hon Fritz Baffour, Dr. Joyce Aryee, Kojo Dadson, KSM, Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah, Prof. Atukwei Okai, Prof. Hagan and many more

The entertainment industry and indeed the whole country was on Tuesday, May 23, 2017, hit with the sad news of the death of one of the industry players, Charles Kofi Babatunde Bucknor.

News of the death of the veteran actor, known for his roles in movies like ‘Heritage Africa’ ‘Shampaign’ ‘Silver Rain,’ ‘Elmina,’ ‘Double,’ et al shocked the entire country.

Profile of late Bucknor

Popularly known for his role in Kwaw Ansah’s ‘Heritage Africa’ (1989), the late Kofi Bucknor acted in Juliet Asante’s ‘Silver Rain,’ and ‘African Timber’ (1989), Run Baby Run (2007), ‘Elmina’, and ‘African Timber’ (2011), which moves won him several international and local awards.

Mr. Bucknor was widely regarded as a distinguished performer not just for his roles in local and international films, but also for his memorable cameo appearances in a number of music videos.

Born in 1953 in Cape Coast in the Central Region to a renowned scientist, Kobina Bucknor and Mrs. Dorothy Buckner (Minaa), Kofi, as he was affectionately called, began his elementary education at Jubilee School in Cape Coast, but later left for the United States of America (USA).

After some years in the US, he returned to Ghana to continue his education at St. Augustine’s College, Cape Coast, for his Ordinary Level Certificate Examination where he offered Science. But at the Advanced Level Certificate Examination, he opted for Arts.

It was at St. Augustine’s College that the late actor discovered his God-given talent. He once sought permission from the school authorities and mounted a performance at the Cape Coast Castle. The authorities trusted him so much that he could pick some of his actresses from Holy Child Secondary school. President of Groupe Nduom, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, was among the characters he used during his acting days in school.

Kofi Bucknor was offered English Language at the University of Ghana, Legon after his Sixth Form education but he opted for an accounting course at Panel Fritz Patrick School of Accountancy, now Panel Kerfoster, located at Adabraka in Accra. He became an auditor after completion, auditing institutions including the University of Ghana.

Few years as an auditor, Mr. Bucknor decided to go back into acting and was enrolled as one of the pioneers at National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) where he studied Cinematography, Editing and Film Directing.

He formed Talent Incorporated after NAFTI, a group former President of Ghana, General Kutu Acheampong helped to compose a song titled, ‘Soweto’ and later sponsored them to Cape Town in South Africa to perform.

He later did post graduate diploma in Mass Communications at the School of Communications, Legon, and in 2004, he went to the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) to do Master’s Executive programme.

After a period, Kofi joined the legendary Kwaw Ansah’s company, Target Advertising, and was in charge of recruiting actors and actresses for auditioning in the movie “Heritage Africa.”

But after weeks of not finding someone to play the lead role, he was asked by the group to take up the challenge which he willingly accepted and acted perfectly. He also featured in “Loved Brewed in the African Pot” produced by same Mr. Ansah.

As adventurous as he was, Kofi formed Focal Point Company Limited where he drew up concepts and adverts for companies. In all, he did over one hundred advertisements for companies with very catchy slogans some of which were “Beer dea enoaaa ne club,” “Domod nkyensee…, “Pioneer's nails…,” “Electricity ehunu ye anka anye” among others.

In 2002, he became Director of Television at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

He brought so many reforms to GBC which improved the content of the state-owned broadcasting company.