Hanks Anuku opens up on partner's death, credits church deliverance for emotional recovery

Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku has broken his silence on the personal tragedy that triggered a visible decline in his mental health and public well-being, revealing that the death of his long-term partner and the mother of his two children left him emotionally devastated and struggling to rebuild his life.

The actor's disclosure comes weeks after viral videos circulated on social media showing him in visible distress, prompting widespread concern among fans and followers about his mental state. Shortly after those videos emerged, Anuku was seen undergoing deliverance prayers at a church in Abuja, a spiritual intervention he credits with providing him significant emotional relief.

Speaking in a video shared on social media following the deliverance session, Anuku provided candid details about his grief and the coping mechanisms that failed him. He explained that losing his partner—someone he had intended to marry—created a profound void that he struggled to process. Rather than seeking support, Anuku acknowledged withdrawing socially and isolating himself from his immediate circle.

"I have been through a lot of traumatic situations. First, I lost my baby mama. I wanted to marry her, but she went to the great beyond too soon," Anuku said in the video. "She was the mother of my daughter and son. Before the deliverance, I felt weighed down, very heavy and uncomfortable."

The turning point: spiritual healing and recovery

Anuku credits the deliverance prayers with catalysing a dramatic shift in his emotional state. He described the experience as transformative, noting that he felt "light as a feather" and "like a newborn baby" following the prayers. The actor emphasised that joy, laughter, and a renewed sense of purpose have returned to his life in the aftermath of the spiritual intervention.

"There's laughter and dancing in me again. I feel so much joy now," he stated. The actor also hinted at a period of spiritual confusion, suggesting he had been "misled" before being drawn back into what he describes as God's presence for healing and divine comfort.

Why it matters for Ghana and the broader entertainment industry

Anuku's candid revelations about grief, isolation, and mental health resonate with ongoing conversations across West African entertainment industries about the psychological toll of loss and the lack of accessible mental health support systems for creatives. In Nigeria and Ghana, where Anuku has worked extensively, discussing mental health challenges remains culturally sensitive, making his public acknowledgement of depression and its consequences significant.

The actor's previous acknowledgement in 2023 that his drinking habits were linked to depression, combined with this latest disclosure, underscores how unprocessed trauma and loss can manifest in destructive coping behaviours within the entertainment sector. His experience highlights the importance of accessible counselling, grief support, and mental health resources for entertainers navigating the pressures of public life alongside personal tragedy.

For Ghanaian audiences familiar with Anuku's work, his journey also reflects broader questions about how communities can better support individuals through grief without relying solely on spiritual interventions, though many find such practices valuable alongside professional mental health care.