Grace Nortey
Grace Nortey (wey dem born February 1, 1937) be Ghanaian actress wey don play many lead roles for Ghana TV[1] She don dey active for film, theater, and drama industries for over fifty years now, and dem consider am as one of di old timers for Ghanaian theatre and drama
Ein Career
[edit | edit source]She don act for some of di most memorable movie wey National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) release.[2] Throughout her long and sweet career for TV, she gain plenty recognition and respect for her role in opening way for women to dey active for performing arts. Grace be one of di most popular and versatile Ghanaian woman actress wey bring comedy and drama to di masses, especially for TV programmes like Akan Drama and TV Theatre. She do am by fighting for women rights for male-dominated society, challenge di way rich people dey treat poor people, and give voice to di poor and oppressed people by standing against bad traditions and practices wey no fair.
Dem always see am as strong woman wey no dey fear, wey dey talk truth, wey dey stand for wetin she believe, wey no dey take nonsense, wey dey challenge bad traditions and practices wey no fair, including di way men dey think say dem be superior, di way men dey dominate women, di bad things wey dem dey do to women and girls, di way dem dey treat poor people, di corruption wey dey happen for institutions, and di injustice wey dey happen for society. One thing wey make Grace performances special, wey make millions of people love am, be say she no dey fear to challenge strong men, she dey stand for wetin she believe with strong mind and determination.
Grace Nortey be popular because of how she dey confront stubborn men for movie, like Solomon Sampa, MacJordan Amartey, George Williams, Kofi Adjorlolo, and William Addo (Akpatse), and others. Some of her most memorable scenes be when she dey argue with these men, and dem no dey agree, but dem still dey talk and talk, and e dey funny. She play her roles well as strong woman wey no dey fear, and she get plenty love and praise from people wey watch her and critics. Because she play dis kind roles many times, people start to know her as strong woman wey no dey take nonsense, and dem give her nickname "Maame Gyata" (Lion Woman), and dat one show say she be strong woman wey no dey fear anything
Grace Nortey be active pass for 80s and 90s, wey dem dey call di golden age of Ghana theatre and drama. Dat time, TV programmes like "Obra", "Osofo Dadzie", "Key Soap Concert Party", "Cantata", "Taxi Driver", and "Thursday Theatre" be popular well well. She act for many stage productions before she start act for film and TV. Before she become famous for TV, she host radio talk show for Ga women ("Nyeawokoshie") for Radio One for 1970s. Her first big appearance for screen be for 1986 film "Juju", wey she play wife of Joe Eyison, alongside Emmanuel Agbenowu, Grace Ofoe, Osei Kwabena, and Evans Oma Hunter, among others. Since den, she don act for many movies, theatre productions, and drama series with her mates and new generation of Ghanaian actors. Some of her most popular movies be Lost Hope, Dza Gbele, Matters of the Heart, Sekina, Expectations, Jewels, Beasts of No Nation (2015), Ties That Bind (2011), Sinking Sands (2011), Nana Akoto (1985), Escape to Love (1996), and The Other Side of The Rich (1992), among others
Grace Nortey work plus many big names for Ghana arts and performance industry insyd. Some of ein most popular co-actors and mates for movie industry insyd dey include Solomon Sampah, Regina Pornortey, Grace Omaboe, George Williams, Monica Quarqopono, MacJordan Amartey, Emmanuel Ceedo, Amanorbea Dodoo, Wiliam Abbey Okai, Joe Eyison, Fred Amugi, Kofi Adjorlolo, Agnes Dapaah, Margaret Quainoo, Cecilia Adjei, Paa Kwesi Ackom, Boatemaa Owusu, Ebo Banson, Araba Kwansema Okyire, Kofi Middleton Mends, George B. Williams, Vera Mensah, Mavis Odonkor, Sussie Okine, Dr Rokoto, Emmanuel Armah, Abeiku Sagoe, and Dzifa Glikpoe, among others.Ein mentors and role models for arts and performance industry include Ernest Abbeyquaye, Kofi Mends, Abbey Okine, and Glover Akpe. Apart from acting, she sana dey work as Senior assistant give Ghana Education Service
Recently, Grace Nortey dey face some health issues and eye problems, so she no dey take roles wey need plenty script or physical energy, because she no fit move around well and she struggle to read long script. But she still dey act small roles for movies and drama, wey no need plenty physical movement, and she fit improvise well[3]
Advocacy
[edit | edit source]Grace Nortey be member of Ghana Actors Guild, wey dey try to help actors past and present. She dey fight for veteran actors wey no dey get good life, wey dey suffer loneliness, poverty, and no one dey care for dem when dem old. She talk about how dem dey sideline old actors, wey no fit work again, and dem dey live poor because dem no get proper retirement package. She say government, associations, and Ghanaians need to know how veteran actors help film and TV industry, and dem need to show dem respect
Grace Nortey also say make actors go school, learn acting proper before dem start act full-time. She say "acting be easy and pay well, but e no be something wey you fit do for life". She say after ten to fifteen years, your body no go be strong again. She also warn female actresses make dem no dey expose demself too much for screen, make dem no dey do nude scenes just to be popular. She say make dem discuss with dem husbands and partners before dem take any sensitive role.
Ein Personal life
[edit | edit source]Nortey get five kiddis. Grace sana be mother give Sheila Nortey wey ein also be actress.
Filmography
[edit | edit source]Film
[edit | edit source]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Nana Akoto | ||
| 1992 | The Other Side of the Rich | Mrs. Ampofo | |
| 2006 | Frozen Emotion | Direct-to-video | |
| 2008 | Before My Eyes | Wummi | Direct-to-video |
| 2011 | Sinking Sands | Grandma | |
| Ties That Bind | Church Member | ||
| 2015 | Beasts of No Nation | Old Witch Woman | |
| 2019 | P over D | Ayorkor | |
| '95 | Old Woman |
Awards
[edit | edit source]- Best Cameo Actress (Movie: "Adams Apple") - Ghana Movie Awards (2011)
- Excellence in Arts - Glitz Women of the Year Honours (2016)
- Lifetime Achievement Award - Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF) Awards (2018)
- Legendary Award for Outstanding Contributions: Ghana Actors Entertainment Award (GAEA) - (2020)
- Outstanding Contribution to Women's Excellence in The Performing Arts - 3Music Awards Women's Brunch (2021)