Jeffrey Nortey & Kalsoume Sinare. Photo Credit: Jeffrey Nortey on Youtube.
Over the years, the Ga language has been perceived by some Ghanaians, including native Ga speakers, as gradually diminishing in its original home, the Greater Accra Region. Many attribute this decline to the growing influence of other languages, such as Akan, Ewe, and, to a large extent, English. The metropolitan nature of Accra, coupled with its status as Ghana’s national capital, has led to a diverse and highly populated city where non-Ga speakers increasingly dominate, posing a challenge to the survival of the Ga language.
These individuals believe that, in the coming years, future generations may lose their mother tongue to the dominance of the aforementioned languages. Their concerns may be valid. However, in recent years, Jeffery Nortey, an energetic and poised creative, has emerged as a beacon of hope for the Ga language, one whose consistent use of his mother tongue is worth celebrating.
Jeffrey Nortey, popularly known as “Dragon” in his skits, alongside the renowned Ghanaian actress Kalsoume Sinare, is truly igniting the Ga language with his craft, earning them well-deserved recognition. Kalsoume Sinare needs no introduction, as she is already a household name in Ghana’s entertainment industry. But who exactly is Jeffrey Nortey?
Jeffrey Nortey was born on May 19th in Dodowa, a town in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Growing up in Dodowa meant he was naturally exposed to the Ga language, which has greatly influenced his fluency. Over the years, he has embraced Ga as a key part of his craft, using it to connect with his audience while complementing it with English subtitles to reach an even broader viewership.
Regarding his educational background, Jeffrey attended Cosmos Basic School in Accra. Interestingly, he went through three different senior high schools, Ghanata Senior High School, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Mampong PRESEC. The reasons for this remain unknown. After completing his basic and secondary education, he gained admission to Jayee University in Accra, where he pursued a degree in Journalism and Public Relations.
For someone who grew up admiring the celebrated Ghanaian actor Majid Michel, Jeffrey always had a passion for acting. As far back as 2013, he made his acting debut and earned his first payment as an actor in the same year. Thanks to his captivating performances, he has featured in both Nollywood and Ghallywood movies. Beyond acting, his fluency in both Ga and English has also paved the way for him to excel as a TV host and presenter.
Jeffrey has featured in several movies that have earned him awards, nominations, and widespread recognition. Some of these include Julor, Newsman, Ananse, Heals and Sneakers, Dance with the Devils, and De Ja Vu, among other television series and his personal skits. However, it is his skits, where he frequently collaborates with Kalsoume Sinare and predominantly uses Ga, his mother tongue, that have further pushed him into the spotlight. He has also featured in some handful of Nollywood movies.
Jeffrey’s skits are mostly comic, and as previously mentioned, he is popularly known as “Dragon.” Some of his notable skits include The Gods Must Be Crazy, Access to the Asset, Kitchen Confessions with Sheena, Not a Happy New Year, and The Fatal Roommate, among others. In many of these skits, he frequently features the celebrated Kalsoume Sinare, with Ga as the dominant language—further promoting and showcasing the language on an international scale. You can suscribe to his page on Youtube for more of his contents on: https://www.youtube.com/@jeffreynortey6854
Jeffrey Nortey’s skits, though highly comedic, possess unique qualities that set him apart. These include his bold and aggressive use of the Ga language, occasional use of Ga insults, exceptional acting skills, and a sharp intellectual play on words (pun) in his craft. These elements make him a standout actor, truly deserving of celebration. Indeed, the Ga language is fortunate to have Jeffrey Nortey as a vehicle driving its visibility across the internet.
His commitment to using Ga in his craft does not only entertains but also contributes to the preservation and promotion of the language. In an era where indigenous languages face the risk of decline, Jeffrey’s work serves as a reminder of the power of media in cultural preservation. Long may his efforts continue for Ga, for Ghana, and for all Ghanaian languages striving to remain vibrant in a rapidly evolving world.
Editor: Ama Gyesiwaa Quansah.
