Grace Nortey

**Grace Nortey** (wey dem born February 1, 1937) be Ghanaian actress wey dey play chaw lead roles for Ghana TV She be active for film, theater, den drama industries for over fifty years now, wey dem consider am as one of de old timers for Ghanaian theatre den drama.

## Ein Career
She act for sam of de most memorable movie wey National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) release.

Thru out ein long den sweet career for TV, she gain plenty recognition den respect for ein role insyd opening way for women to dey active for performing arts. Grace be one of de most popular den versatile Ghanaian woman actress wey bring comedy den drama to de masses, especially for TV programmes like Akan Drama den TV Theatre. She do am by fighting for women rights for male-dominated society, challenge de way rich people dey treat poor people, den give voice to de poor den oppressed people by standing against bad traditions den 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 den practices wey no fair, dey include de way men dey think say dem be superior, de way men dey dominate women, de bad things wey dem dey do to women den girls, de way dem dey treat poor people, de corruption wey dey happen for institutions, den de 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 plus strong mind den determination.

Grace Nortey be popular because of how she dey confront stubborn men for movie, like Solomon Sampa, MacJordan Amartey, George Williams, Kofi Adjorlolo, den William Addo (Akpatse), den odas. Sam of ein most memorable scenes be wen she dey argue plus dese men, wey dem no dey agree, buh dem still dey talk den talk, wey e dey funny. She play ein roles well as strong woman wey no dey fear, wey she get plenty love den praise from people wey watch am den critics. Secof she play dis kind roles many times, people start to know am as strong woman wey no dey take nonsense, wey dem give am nickie "*Maame Gyata*" (Lion Woman), wey dat one show say she be strong woman wey no dey fear anything

Grace Nortey be active pass for 80s den 90s, wey dem dey call di golden age of Ghana theatre den drama. Dat time, TV programmes like "Obra", "Osofo Dadzie", "Key Soap Concert Party", "Cantata", "Taxi Driver", den "Thursday Theatre" be popular well well. She act for many stage productions before she start act for film den TV. Before she cam turn famous for TV, she host radio talk show for Ga women ("*Nyeawokoshie*") for Radio One for 1970s. Ein first big appearance for screen be for 1986 film "Juju", wey she play wifey of Joe Eyison, alongsyd Emmanuel Agbenowu, Grace Ofoe, Osei Kwabena, den Evans Oma Hunter, among odas. Since den, she act for many movies, theatre productions, den drama series plus ein mates den new generation of Ghanaian actors. Sam of ein 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)*, den *The Other Side of The Rich (1992)*, among odas.

Grace Nortey work plus many big names for Ghana arts den performance industry insyd. Some of ein most popular co-actors den 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, den Dzifa Glikpoe, among odas. Ein mentors den role models for arts den performance industry dey include Ernest Abbeyquaye, Kofi Mends, Abbey Okine, den Glover Akpe. Apart from acting, she sana dey work as Senior assistant give Ghana Education Service.

Recently, Grace Nortey dey face sam health issues den eye problems, so she no dey take roles wey need plenty script anaa physical energy, secof she no fi move around well wey she dey struggle make she read long script. Buh she still dey act small roles for movies den drama, wey no need plenty physical movement, wey she fit improvise well.

## Advocacy
Grace Nortey be member of Ghana Actors Guild, wey dey try to help actors past den present. She dey fight for veteran actors wey no dey get good life, wey dey suffer loneliness, poverty, den no one dey care for dem when dem old. She talk about how dem dey sideline old actors, wey no fit work again, wey dem dey live poor secof dem no get proper retirement package. She say government, associations, den Ghanaians need to know how veteran actors help film den TV industry, wey dem need to show dem respect.

Grace Nortey sanso 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 sanso warn female actresses make dem no dey expose demaself too much for screen, make dem no dey do nude scenes just to be popular. She say make dem discuss plus dema husbies den partners before dem take any sensitive role.

## Ein life matter
Nortey get five kiddies. Grace sana be mommie give Sheila Nortey wey she sanso be actress.

## Filmography

### Film

## Awards

* 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)

## References