Jaga Pee: Veteran Ghanaian Actor Battles Illness, Appeals to Ghanaians for Financial Support
- Jaga Pee has opened up about his health battles and struggles for medical care over a decade after he underwent heart surgery
- In a video, the veteran Ghanaian actor made an emotional plea to Ghanaians, including prominent individuals, for financial help
- Jaga Pee's story about his health struggles and appeal for support evoked sad reactions among many Ghanaians on social media
- YEN.com.gh spoke to entertainment analyst Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh about Jaga Pee's appeal and how he and other veterans can get support
Veteran Ghanaian actor Abeiku Nyame, popularly known as Jagger Pee, has opened up about his battle with health issues that have affected his personal and professional life.
Source: Facebook
In an interview with media personality Bra Emma on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Jaga Pee, who had heart surgery in 2016, noted that he had been struggling to raise funds for medical care since the procedure.
He noted that he used to rely on his close associates for financial support to purchase the medicines needed for his treatment, but they had also encountered some difficulties and had been unable to help him in recent times.
Jaga Pee stated that he always prayed to God to preserve his life whenever he was unable to raise funds to purchase the medicines and said that he needed to take the treatment for the rest of his life before his death.
The embattled actor also detailed the near-death challenges associated with not taking one of the medicines prescribed to him by his doctor.
He noted that he also struggled to eat and that he depended on his wife, who had taken loans from people to provide for his survival.
Jaga Pee stated that his wife's salon business was also experiencing some financial difficulties and that she struggled to pay back their debts.
He said he used to go for medical checkups every two months in the past but had not been able to go for the last six months due to his financial struggles.
Jaga Pee appealed to Ghanaians, including his fans, President John Dramani Mahama, and his younger brother Ibrahim Mahama, for financial support.
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh on Jaga Pee's struggles
Speaking to YEN.com.gh, entertainment analyst Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh shared his thoughts on Jaga Pee's struggles and how the government or major stakeholders in Ghana’s entertainment industry can better support veteran entertainers.
He said:
"Creatives should think about signing up for health and retirement insurance, as it helps in situations like this. The government can't do everything and so we need more education and corporate partnerships to help solve these issues."
The TikTok video of Jaga Pee appealing for financial support amid his health issues is below:
Jaga Pee's past heart issues and surgery
In August 2016, Jaga Pee, who began his acting career in the 1980s, announced that he had been diagnosed with a heart condition during an interview with media personality Amanda Jissih on GHOne TV.
He noted that he had been informed by doctors at the 37 military Hospital in Accra that two of his valves were completely damaged and could only be replaced with artificial ones.
Jaga Pee appealed to President Mahama and others for financial support from the public to raise $10,000 after the Ghana Heart Foundation had previously paid a similar amount for a heart surgery.
Leader and Founder of Glorious Waves Church International, Prophet Emmanuel Badu Kobi, came to his rescue and donated the needed amount to support his surgery.
Source: Facebook
On September 26, 2016, he had a successful four-hour open heart surgery at the National Cardio-thoracic Centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
First Lady Lordina Mahama and some of the actor's colleagues, who also helped raise funds, visited him at the hospital after the surgery.
In 2018, controversial socialite Ayisha Modi donated GH¢5,000 to Jaga Pee in fulfilment of a past promise.
The YouTube video of Jaga Pee speaking about his life and heart surgery is below:
Jaga Pee's appeal for support stirs reactions
YEN.com.gh has gathered some comments from social media users below:
Nharnharahdjoa9 commented:
"This world 😭. May God help him."
Banahene92 wrote:
"I remember him, Jaga Pee."
Ayishetu Mohammed said:
"I pray some of the rich men in Ghana come to his aid. We can't lose another legend."
Esinamakudzi commented:
"God be with you 🙏 🙌 ❤️. It is definitely well 🙏."
Actor Nelson Mandela Jnr dies in Belgium
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that actor Nelson Mandela Jnr died in Belgium on Monday, January 12, 2026.
Filmmaker Dela Finn announced the news of the Forkboyz actor's demise in an emotional post on Facebook.
Many Ghanaians, including Akuapem Poloo, took to social media to hail Nelson Mandela Jnr after his passing.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Kofi Owusu (Entertainment Editor) Kofi is an Entertainment Editor at YEN.com.gh. He graduated from the African University College Of Communication (AUCC) in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies. He has over 5 years of experience as an entertainment journalist. He joined Yen.com.gh in 2024. You can contact him via e-mail: kofi.owusu@yen.com.gh
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh (Music Executive) Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh is an experienced Music Executive with over a decade of experience in the Music Industry. He is also a media personality with production and on-air experience on Television and Radio. He has worked with 3x Grammy-winning Reggae group Morgan Heritage, Mr Drew, King Paluta, Renner, Kwesi Valley, Ugandan star Azawi, and many others. NYB, as he is referred to in some quarters, is also an event producer and talent manager associated with events such as AfroNation Ghana and Guinness Accravaganza.
