Jackie Appiah

Jackie was born on 5 December 1983 to Kwabena Appiah into the Appiah family in Toronto, Canada. She is the last of five children. Her paternal uncle was the Ghanaian statesman Joe Appiah.^[5] She spent her early childhood in Canada and moved to Ghana with her mother at the age of 10.^[6] She is popularly known by her maiden name, Appiah.^[7]

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Appiah began her acting career in the late 1990s, appearing in various Ghanaian television shows and movies.^[8][9] Appiah remembers herself as being shy the first time she went on set. "It was a Venus Film Production titled Divine Love and I had to play the role of Kate, the protagonist. I didn't believe I did too well. I fumbled, but many people did not notice it".^[10] Despite her nervousness, the first-timer said she succeeded in impressing everyone.^[11]

Her breakthrough role came in 2003 when she starred in the Ghanaian film Princess Tyra, which brought her widespread recognition and cemented her status as a leading actress in West African cinema.^[12] Following the success of Princess Tyra, Appiah went on to appear in numerous other Ghanaian and Nigerian films, further establishing herself as one of the most prominent and influential actresses in the region.^[9]

Appiah's appearance on screen became regular when she was invited by Edward Seddoh Junior,^[13] the writer of Things We Do For Love, where she played the role of Enyonam Blagogee. She later took part in movies like Tentacles, Games People Play, Sun-city and many other TV series.

Appiah says her best part was in Mummy's Daughter by Venus Films. The film tells the story of the Bartels Family, where she played the role of a Princess, the daughter. She loved how she acted, and was happy with the role played.^[14]

Nollywood breakthrough and success

Appiah was already known to Nollywood through her many successful Ghanaian films, including Beyoncé - The President's Daughter, Princess Tyra, Passion of the Soul, Pretty Queen, The Prince's Bride, The King is Mine, and The Perfect Picture.^[15] Her notable Nollywood films includes Black Soul and Bitter Blessing, alongside Nollywood actor Ramsey Nouah^[16][17] and My Last Wedding, alongside Nollywood actor Emeka Ike.^[18]

In 2013, she won the Best International Actress award at the Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) 2013. which was held in Abuja, Nigeria.^[19]

Other work

Jackie's face can be seen on many billboards and TV commercials in Ghana including a GSMF advert on protection against HIV/AIDS. She won the face of U.B in a promotion she did for them on TV commercials, and she was the face of IPMC for commercials and billboards. "GSMF" was her first TV commercial.^[20]

Aside from being an actress, Appiah has also been involved in various philanthropic initiatives, using her celebrity status to support causes such as education and healthcare in Ghana.^[12] As a result, she has received numerous awards and accolades for both her contributions to the film industry and her humanitarian efforts.^[9]

Jackie married Peter Agyemang in 2005 with whom she had a son, Damien Agyemang.^[21] They got divorced after three years.^[22]

It was rumoured in 2020 that Jackie Appiah got pregnant by Liberian President George Weah, though she dismissed the rumour on her Instagram page, stating: "Laughter that dispels lies and fabricated stories."^[23][24]

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For her work as an actress, Appiah has been marked by several accolades including multiple awards and nominations. She notably won the awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role running out in the 2010 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). She was also honoured the Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the AAMAs in 2007.^[27][28] She received two nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Upcoming Actress at the AMAAs in 2008.^[29][30] Glitz Africa honoured her with the Excellence in Creative Art Award at Ghana Women of the Year Honours 2023.^[31]