Ernest Abbeyquaye

Ernest Kofi Abbeyquaye
Alma mater	University of Ghana; National Film and Television School (UK)
Occupation(s)	Filmmaker, producer, director
Years active	1960s–present
Known for	A Mother's Revenge, The Other Side of the Rich, Confessions
Spouse	Benedicta Abbeyquaye
Children	5

Ernest Kofi Abbeyquaye is a distinguished Ghanaian filmmaker, producer, and director, formerly associated with the Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC). His acclaimed projects include A Mother's Revenge (1994), The Other Side of the Rich (1992), and Confessions (1993), which have gained both national and international acclaim.

Personal life

Abbeyquaye is married to Benedicta Abbeyquaye. Together, they have five children, with one child having passed away.

Education and Career

Abbeyquaye commenced his artistic journey at the Arts Council Acting School during the 1960s and earned a degree in Drama & Theatre Arts from the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts. Between 1966 and 1970, he taught English, Literature, and Drama. He pursued postgraduate studies at the National Film and Television School in the United Kingdom from 1972 to 1975, followed by a brief tenure at Samuelson Film Services Ltd. In 1978, he joined the National Film Institute (NAFTI) as an instructor before advancing to Deputy Managing Director and becoming its inaugural Head of Studies. At GFIC, he ultimately attained the position of Executive Producer.

His body of work encompasses feature films and documentaries exhibited both within Ghana and internationally, with production activities spanning African countries such as Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Eritrea. Abbeyquaye has engaged with a diverse array of individuals—from scholars to government leaders—and contributed as a UNESCO consultant on film and television initiatives aimed at rural development.

Additional professional engagements include:

• Serving as local coordinator for Yorkshire TV’s Ghana-based production of The Dying of the Light (1992).
• Acting as local fixer for HBO-BBC’s Deadly Voyage (1996).
• Directing the stage musical King Lions Law (1995).
• Co-directing the pilot episode Hopes on the Horizon, produced by Blackside in collaboration with Multi-Media Africa and funded by the Ford Foundation.
• Directing Fairy Tale Africa, a Ghana-Nigeria stage musical drama intended for a U.S. tour.

His selected works also feature acting in Hamele: The Prince of Tongo, directing The Chronicles of Odumkrom – The Headmaster, and providing narration for No Tears for Ananse.

Presently, Abbeyquaye is associated with Trumpet Africa Productions and Emerald Films. In 2001, he co-established the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), an organization dedicated to promoting excellence within the film industry.

Award

In 2018, Abbeyquaye was honored with the Television and Film Pioneer Award at the GUBA Awards held in London, UK.

Filmography

• A Mother's Revenge (1994)
• The Other Side of the Rich (1992)
• Confessions (1993)