TARKWA — Ghana's entertainment industry is in mourning. Popular actor, comedian, broadcaster and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto, best known as Judge Koboo in Efiewura and as host of TV3's Edziban, has died. He was reported to be 51.

Dzokoto collapsed during a live panel discussion on the morning show of Owass Radio (Owass FM) in Tarkwa, in the Western Region, on Thursday, October 22, 2026. He was rushed to a hospital in Tarkwa, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His death was confirmed by Kirk Mensah, Western Regional Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the party Dzokoto belonged to. The cause of death has not been made public.

His final moments

Dzokoto was appearing as a panellist on the station's morning programme when he fell ill. According to GBC, a livestream of the show on Owass FM's Facebook page appears to show him struggling for breath towards the end of the stream. He handed a bottle of water to another guest before the camera shook and the broadcast cut off.

At the time of writing, no statement had been released by his family, the radio station or the hospital.

From Judge Koboo to Edziban

For many Ghanaians, Kwame Dzokoto was a familiar and much-loved face.

  • Efiewura: He became a household name playing Judge Koboo in the hit TV series Efiewura, one of Ghana's best-loved local comedies.
  • Edziban: As host of TV3's food and tourism show Edziban, he toured chop bars and local food joints across the country, celebrating Ghanaian cuisine long before food blogging became popular.
  • Other screen work: He also appeared in Osumesi.
  • Radio: He worked as a radio presenter with Skyy Power FM in Takoradi and Hello FM in Kumasi.
  • Politics: Beyond entertainment, he was an active member of the NDC, which called him a comrade.

Earlier health concerns

His death has come as a particular shock because, only last month, in September 2026, Dzokoto had publicly dismissed rumours that he had died, after concerns were raised about his health.

Fans mourn

News of his death spread quickly on social media, where fans and colleagues shared memories of Judge Koboo's courtroom antics and his warm, humorous trips to chop bars on Edziban. Many credited him with bringing everyday Ghanaian food culture into the national spotlight.

What we don't know yet

  • the cause of death
  • a statement from his family
  • details of funeral arrangements