Ernest Abbeyquaye
- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Ernest Abbeyquaye started in 1960 as a student in the pioneer class of
the Arts Council Acting School. Graduated from University of Ghana,
school of Performing Arts (Drama and Theatre Arts Major). He was tutor
of English, Literature and Drama between 1966 and 1970. Between
1972-1975 he undertook postgraduate professional training at the
prestigious National Film and Television School at Beaconfield, Bucks,
U.K. In 1978 he became a group tutor at the National Film Institute
(NAFTI) rising to become the first Head of Studies and also the
institute's Deputy managing director. He worked for many years with
Ghana Films Industry Corporation (GFIC) rising to become its executive
producer. He also worked briefly with Samuelson Film Services Ltd. U. K
Ernest Abbeyquaye has taken many assignments in film production. He has
travelled extensively throughout Ghana and abroad. He has written and
directed numerous features and documentaries. He came under fire whilst
documenting peace keeping operations of Ghanaian soldiers serving with
UNIFIL in Lebanon. He has taken two pilgrimage tours to Jerusalem.
Ernest has filmed in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Eritrea
During his filming career he has interviewed Head of States, generals,
Academics, Politicians, Farmers, Market women, workers and children. He
served as a UNESCO consultant on the use of film and television for
rural development. He was a local co-ordinator for Yorkshire T.V in
Ghana during the production of The Dying of the Light (1992). He was local fixer for Deadly Voyage (1996),
an HBO-BBC production in Ghana. In 1995, he directed the stage musical
and drama "King Lions Law" He co-directed a pilot "Hopes on the
Horizon" a Blackside (Boston) and Multi Media Africa Production funded
by the Ford Foundation. He directed a stage musical "Fairy tale Africa"
a Ghana/Nigeria musical drama earmarked for a U.S. tour.