Patience Ozokwor Honoured at Regal Film Festival in Accra

Veteran Nigerian actress Patience Ozokwor — affectionately known as Mama G or G for General — has been honoured in Accra, Ghana, with a special recognition at the Regal Film Festival, celebrating her enduring contribution to African cinema and her influence across generations of filmmakers and audiences.

The award was presented during the festival’s inaugural edition, which brought together film professionals from across West Africa. Ozokwor’s recognition stood out as a cross-border moment, reflecting how her work has travelled far beyond Nigeria to become deeply familiar across African households.

Widely known for her commanding screen presence and emotional range, Ozokwor has built a career that spans decades and hundreds of film and television appearances. From intense family dramas to socially grounded storytelling, her performances have shaped Nollywood’s identity and helped define the rhythms of popular African cinema.

Her impact extends beyond performance. Ozokwor’s work emerged during a formative era of Nollywood, when locally produced stories were carving space in homes across the continent. Those films not only entertained, but created a shared cultural language that still resonates today.

Speaking after receiving the honour, the actress expressed gratitude for being recognised while still active, describing the moment as a reminder of the power of storytelling to connect audiences across borders. The response from fans and fellow creatives in Ghana underscored the respect she continues to command within the industry.

The Regal Film Festival recognition adds to a long list of honours that acknowledge Ozokwor’s role as a cultural figure whose work helped elevate African storytelling on screen. As African cinema continues to evolve, her legacy remains visible — not only in the films she made, but in the generations of actors and audiences shaped by her performances.