George Acquah-Hayford: Entrepreneur, Author, Designer, Lifestyle Guru.
'Conceived as a film, the novel can easily be adapted for the cinema.
There is a proposal to make a film from The Rainbow Talisman. It has been offered to Steven Spielberg's Lawyers, Amblin Partners, Amblin Pictures (Dreamworks), Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd, and Creative Artists Agency. The idea was met with spontaneous enthusiasm and contracts were received. Fired by unanimous rave reviews, this project, presently in the hands of lawyers, is due to become a reality. George is currently working on a sequel to The Rainbow Talisman, and his autobiography.
George Acquah-Hayford (G- A-H) was born in Ghana. He moved to London in the early seventies to study interior design and later men’s clothes design. He worked as a young tractor driver for the Kwadaso Agriculture & Improved Seed Production Unit in Kumasi, ran by Arthur Coleman De-Graft He enrolled at Ashley's Secretarial College in Accra to study Shorthand and Accountancy. Later he taught at Mrs Edu Sam's International Preparatory School in Accra. In 1971 he enrolled at Croydon College, London and further on at London College of Arts and Design in Oxford Street,
George's father was John Emmanuel Orphan Acquah (1900--1962)
George's mother was Mercy Aba Casely-Hayford (1917--1974)
George's maternal great uncle, Joseph Ephraim Casely Hayford, MBE was a prominent Fante Gold Coast journalist. He was an editor, author, lawyer, educator and politician. He supported Pan African Nationalism. In 1911 he wrote the novel, "Ethiopia Unbound." It is one of the earliest novels published in English by an African.
His father Joseph de Graft Hayford (1840--1891), was educated in West Africa and was later ordained as a Methodist Minister. He was a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics. His mother was descended from the 18th-century irish trader Richard Brew and his African concubine. Brew settled in the Gold Coast around 1745.
George's mother Mercy Aba Casely Hayford, the grand daughter of J.E. Casely Hayford. He was a member of the Fante Coastal Elite.
There is a notable resemblance between George and his maternal great uncle J.E. Casely Hayford; they even have similar moustaches.
George's father John Emmanuel Orphan Acquah 1900--1962 was recruited by the Royal West African Frontier Force and sent to Burma during the 2nd World War.
When he returned to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) in 1946, he met and married George's mother, M.A Casely Hayford. She was his fourth wife.
In 1951 George's father met Swiss businessmen, Karl Mertz and Alfred Lang. He helped build a timber and lumber sawmill known as "A LANG LTD." it was situated in a suburb of Kumasi, Ghana.
In 1953 due to the success of "A LANG LTD" in negotiating a big land deal for timber logging, from the King of Ashanti Akim, Nana Sir Ofori-Atta the Ist. , the king, as a thank-you gift, offered George's father one his several daughters in a marriage. Her name was Agnes Gladys Ofori-Atta
In 1962 at the time of his death, John Emmanuel Orphan Acquah was living with latest two wives, Mercy Aba Casely-Hayford (1917--1974) George's mother and Agnes Gladys Ofori-Atta. (1927-1961)
In 1961 Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Ghana. There were many dignitaries including the president of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, The Ashanti King and distinguished guests of the Ashanti Regional High Commissioner. Among the many entertainments put on for her benefit were gymnastic and acrobatic displays by the Kumasi branch of the Young Pioneers Movement. G A-H and Miss Abena Ntwima played a leading role in these displays and afterwards presented a bouquet of flowers to her Majesty.
In 1972 British actor Paul Danquah invited George to the Rockingham Club in Soho London. While there he was introduced to the British painter Francis Bacon. In 1974, while on holiday in Rome, George introduced Paul and Francis Bacon to Principe Giovanni Borghese of Rome, Italy.
When George was at The Napoleon Club off New Bond Street London, he met Antoine Xuereb. Antoine later became the partner of Sir Freddie Kobler. Sir Freddie financed the Kobler Clinic and the AIDS Charity CRUSAID. It was officially opened by Princess Diana on 13th September 1988. George and Antoine were amongst the guests present at this event.
George has always enjoyed getting people together. In London he teamed up with Paul Danquah and his partner Peter Pollock, Francis Bacon, Baron David Lumsden, American actress Eva Gardner, British actor Sir Charles Grey. Between them they came up with the idea of summer-time parties in Ennismore Gardens.
George went on to help Irish restaurant owner, Philip Lawless, to organise the Motcomb's Street parties in Knightsbridge.
George, Everett and Lord Montague contributed to the opening of Michael Hochan's bohemian style Restaurant known as "Michael's". Here celebrities such as Liberace, Michael Cain, Danny La Rue, American actress Faye Dunaway, Francis Bacon, Lord Montagu, and Rudolf Nureyev partied regularly. Incidentally Michaels was inside the alleyways opposite the famous luxury restaurant, Mr Chow's, which was near the Knightsbridge Barracks.
After the success of the 2nd World Black Arts Festival in Lagos in 1977 (FESTAC 77) the name, Eko Hotel, went viral and consequently attracted investors from abroad. Among these were Bobby and Dino Cellini of the American Casino family from Atlantic city USA. They teamed up with the renowned Nigerian Lottery and Casino owner, Chief Ayoku. Together they approached Everett with a deal to open a casino at Eko Hotel. One of the executives at the meeting was Mr. Fabrizio Conte. He was the legal advisor to the Cellini Family. Fabrizio is married to Princess Christina Borghese and her father was Principe Giovanni Borghese of Italy. Christina is still a personal friend of George
J.B. Danquah (December 1895-February 1965) was a Ghanaian statesman, politician, lawyer and scholar. Being one of the founding fathers of Ghana, he was heavily involved in the organization of both pre-colonial and post-colonial Ghana and was credited with actually giving the name Ghana to the country. (Formerly known as The Gold Coast). Paul Danquah's father, Nana Sir Ofori-Atta I, was brother to J. B. Danquah.
In August 1989 American President, Jimmy Carter made a State Visit to Ghana. J. J. Rawlings ( then head of State) hosted a special welcoming event at the Accra Polo Club. G. A .H and American Businessman, Jim Wilson, came along ( being personal friends) and met several influential people including J J Rawlings brother-in-law, Mr. Agogo, who was married to Rawling's sister Judy Nkansah, and Humphrey Barclay ITV producer of the series "DESMONDS"
George has had an interesting career as a consultant and advisor in the design world. Well known designers like Paco Rabane of French Fashion chain, Tom Parr, director of Colefax & Fowler, Interior designer David Hicks, cousin to the Queen of England, Royal and Vogue Magazine Photographer Anthony Crickmay, Tommy Nutter and Michael Fish of Savile Row, Eddie Lloyd of Grey Flannel and Dunhill, Cecil Gee men's fashion chain, have all sought his expert advice. George re-designed the interior penthouse apartment overlooking Hyde Park for the Hollywood movie mogul, Burt Shevelove. Burt directed NO NO NANETTE and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.
George designed interiors for many top hotels in Africa, including re-designing staff uniforms. George organized events in Africa for corporate heads of American companies, and for influential politicians such as Vice President Walter Mondale.
In 1973 George met his life-partner Dr. Everett Thierfelder. Everett's name appears in the first line of George's book, The Rainbow Talisman. This is on sale at Amazon, Lulu.com, Abebook.co.uk, Booktopia.com.au, Booksgoogle.com, Mightyape.com.nz, Malibris.com, e-Bay and Barnes and Noble.
Everett, the senior Vice President of Occidental Petroleum, had not only negotiated the building of the North Sea oil platform, Piper Alpha, but also an oil deal in Libya with King Idris and another in Nigeria with General Yakubu Gowon, the Head of State of Nigeria.
Everett had become a good friend of General Yakubu Gowon, and was approached by him to help build a large hotel in Lagos with 825 bedrooms and 75 suites. There was considerable urgency for this as Nigeria was the host nation for the 2nd World Black Arts Festival, FESTAC-77
\Before the building of the hotel, at a meeting of the board of directors, there arose the question of a suitable name for the hotel. The first idea was to call it simply Lagos Holiday Inn. George who was present at the meeting and knowing the history of Lagos, put forward another possibility.
In the 1760s, Portuguese traders settled in the port which was used for slave trade. At that time the town was called Eko. Later they renamed it Lagos. this was because the town was surrounded by numerous lakes hence Lagos, a city near lakes.
George suggested the name "Eko Holiday Inn." It was agreed that this added historical authenticity to the name and it was consequently adopted. This became the Lagos Eko Holiday Inn. George accepted the deal here to furnish the rooms, suites, staff uniforms, and restaurants including "The Shangri La" on the roof top. After the success of the Shangri La, George was offered another contract to redesign the "Mirage Restaurant Casino Club" on the ground floor of the Federal Palace Hotel Lagos. Nigeria.
The presidential penthouse suite on the roof top was often used by George and Everett and dignitaries including Sir Adam Thomson chairman British Caledonian Airways, Scottish Baron David Lumsden of Cushnie, (Director of British American Tobacco Ltd in Nigeria and Ghana), and the famous British painter Sir Francis Bacon with his friend British actor Paul Danquah. Paul played a sailor in the film A TASTE OF HONEY. 
George has run his own import and export companies and restaurants. George's restaurant called "Hayfords" was in Blandford Street Paddington London near to the Wallace Collection. George designed the interior of "La Popote" in Knightsbridge, "Country Cousins" at the Emporium known as The Furniture Cave off the New Kings Road and the "Napoleon Club" off New Bond Street.
George's Life
George lives in central London and retired early from the restaurant business to write his novel The Rainbow Talisman. He usually writes for three or four hours in the morning, sometimes waking up at 4 a.m. with an idea. Before writing this book he attended evening classes at Kensington & Chelsea College in London. He spent two years studying computer repairs gaining a Diploma Certificate.
His early influences stem from the tales of J.R.R. Tolkien, Rudyard Kipling and later George Orwell's book "1984". Possibly one the greatest influences in recent times has been the success of J.K Rowling in believing in her work despite initial rejections. This should be a stimulus for all budding authors whose creative ideas fill their pages and hopefully enthuse the minds of their readers. Anansi is a wise spider in Ghanaian folklore and childhood fairy-tale stories. The Anansi stories I heard in my childhood were so vivid that they still stimulate my imagination. This early introduction into a magical world of fantasy stimulates my creative ideas when writing this fantasy novel, "The Rainbow Talisman."
Although this is George's first novel, he has connections in the literary world who have been impressed by the strength and originality of his ideas for this novel.
David Howlett of Oxford Bodleian Library and Leslie Pound (retired) senior vice president of Paramount Pictures encouraged me with my work on The Rainbow Talisman.' In 1987 Leslie Pound, senior vice President of Paramount Pictures, introduced Eddie Murphy and Paul Hogan to George when they arrived in London to promote their films, Beverly Hills Cop and Crocodile Dundee at the Dorchester Hotel on Park Lane London
Bill and Melinda Gates and his foundation, in using his wealth for philanthropical purposes and medical research in finding cures for malaria and HIV and AIDS, were inspirations for the theme of goodness within my novel
I have made it available to the following personalities: Bill and Melinda Gates, Jeffrey Archer British author, David Howlett head of Bodleian Library Oxford, Andrew Patrick, Chairman of Fine Arts Society UK, Humphrey Barclay (retired) producer of ITV series DESMONDS . Edward Lord Montague of Beaulieu., Danish film producer Tivi Magnusson, Alan Fitzgerald senior vice president of Cunard Cruise Lines, British Prime Minister David Cameron and his children at a Chinese restaurant in London.
In 1974 Everett attended Edward Lord Montague's wedding to his wife Fiona Herbert. In August 2015 George Acquah-Hayford attended Edward Lord Montague's funeral in Beaulieu Abbey in Hampshire.
For the Rainbow Talisman, George worked with writer John Kitchen, who has been involved in the literary world as a reviewer for Thimble Press (Edited by Nancy Chambers), a writer of children's books for Oxfordshire County Council (Educational Dept.), and an occasional reader SYNTAgM Ltd and Blackwell's Publications.
John Kitchen " I was eight I tried to write my first novel"
Born in Cornwall, John now lives in Oxford where he is a member of the "Oxford Writer's Group" He retired early from teaching to write children's fiction, and is widowed with two married children and four grand children.
His favourite authors are Daphne Du Maurier, James Joyce, Thomas Hardy, Ian McEwan, Graham Swift, Dylan Thomas, Michael Morpurgo, Aidan Chambers, Alan Garner, Judy Blume, Jan Mark, Susan Cooper, Phillipa Pearce, Michell Magorian, Mark Hadden, and Philip Pullman.
" Aidan Chambers and Philip Pullman encouraged me, and reading Daphne Maurier as a child inspired me."
John writes for two to three hours in the morning, usually about 1,000 to 1,500 words a day.
"I have a very special bright yellow study where I write. The bright yellow always makes me feel I am in sunshine."
Previous books published include " Nicola's Ghost"( Winner of the Writers' Digest prize for best self- published Young Adult novel 2011" and the New generation Publishing Award"), and A Spectre in the Stones ( published 2013). John's recent books, Jax House, Mine-Shaft, Fragments of Spring Time, and lately Kamazu's.
DR. EVERETT GLENN THIERFELDER (George's partner, Business Magnate, Lover of Arts, Philanthropist and Socialite.)
(KNOWN AS THE MAN WITH THE MIDAS TOUCH)
Born Wisconsin USA, 29th December 1929--died 25th February 1992. He was raised in Reading Philadelphia. His parents had high hopes for him as he excelled at Harvard University both in Academia and social skills. He belonged to the Ivy League. He had a double first not only in Business studies but also international Law and Diplomacy. After university he served as Naval Intelligence Officer for the US Navy in Turkey.
He was head-hunted by the Rockefeller Oil company of Standard Oil. he helped the merger of Mobile Oil Corporation with Standard Oil. It became Exxon Mobile.
Everett before meeting Dr. Hammer had previously turned down Sir Lawrence Kadoorie's offer to help ran his business empire which included the famous Peninsular Hotels chain and China Light and Power in Hongkong.
He became famous in the business world. Somewhere around the 1960s, he met Dr. Armand Hammer who was chairman of Occidental Petroleum. At a conference in New York Dr. Hammer invited him to join his firm to help repair his tarnished reputation of foreign corrupt practices, amongst other things he was thought to be a Russian spy. After a further consideration Everett was happy to undertake this role and they were frequently seen together at auctions in New York, London, Paris, Lichtenstein and Geneva.
At one auction they outbid the Rockefeller Museum, acquiring the Leonardo da Vinci Code, known as The Codex.
This was soon to be followed by another auction in Geneva where they outbid all the Museums to acquire the emerald necklace belonging to Russian Tsarina of the Romanov Dynasty. Hammer gave it to his third wife, Heiress Frances Barrett Tolman, as a birthday present at a party which was also attended by George and Everett, It was in the famous La Tour d' Argent restaurant in Paris.
After the Bolshevik revolution in Russia there was a subsequent famine. Dr. Hammer met Vladimir Lenin. Hammer managed to arrange the supply of food, stationery, pharmaceutical products and farming machinery. For this Hammer received as a personal thank you ten Faberge Eggs. In the Hammer Museum in New York is the thank you letter from Lenin for his help during that time. Faberge Eggs became highly desirable. Some of Hammers Eggs were later owned by Malcolm Forbes of Forbes Magazine and also Queen Elizabeth II.
Everett was the senior vice president of Occidental Petroleum. By 1974-75, he had negotiated the building of the North Sea oil platform, Piper Alpha. He initiated the oil deal in Libya with King Idris and another in Nigeria General Yakubu Gowon. In 1988 Everett approached the Texan oil engineer known as Red Adair to help put out the fire which engulfed the Piper Oil platform in the North Sea in Scotland. In 1982, Everett suggested that the deep-sea divers of the North Sea help bring up the sunken ship "The Mary Rose" which was dear to Prince Charles and his charity, "The Prince's Trust."
The happy result was an invitation to both Dr. Hammer and Everett to the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
Everett had become friends with General Yakubu Gowon and through him was approached to build the 825 bedrooms and 75 suites hotel, known as Eko Holiday Inn. There was an urgency to complete this by 1977 due to Nigeria being the host nation for the 2nd World Black Arts Festival (FESTAC-77). This later became the Eko Hotels in Lagos. George Acquah-Hayford was given the deal to design the interiors for the rooms, suites, restaurants, and staff uniforms.
George and Everett used the presidential suite on the roof of the hotel as their permanent residence. They had many parties there including one for Everett's 50th birthday. Celebrities from across the globe attended. Tight security was adhered to as invitees arrived, visa requirements were waived for all foreign invitees. Dr. Hammer and his wife arrived by private jet OXY1, Malcomb Forbes arrived on his private jet Boeing 727, some guests arrived via Tangiers in Morocco because of security concerns. British painter, Frances Bacon arrived with British actor Paul Danquah also via Tangiers. Local celebrities like Architects, Robin Atkinson, Ted Moore and Peter Whitehouse, Artists , Asiru Olatunde, Twins Seven Seven and Benedict Enwonwu Nigerian artists were also at this function
George and Everett threw a party for the exiled president, Yakubu Gowon and his brother Moses Gowon at the presidential suite of Eko Hotel. The Nigerian diplomatic communities were all invited. This was followed by another party at the residence of the renowned architects, Ted Moore and Peter Whitehouse where Everett and George met the renowned Nigerian artists Grillo and British artist Althea Wilson who at this time was living in Lagos where her paintings were on show.
In mid 1980s Everett was keen to promote business, local art and culture so he organised a party inviting, among others Walter Mondale, vice President of USA with his business entourage OPIC. This included CEO of IOWA Beef, and the heiress of Du Pont Chemicals.
Everett helped his partner, George to become the agent for British Paint manufacturer, Snowcem Paint Ltd. The company Merchant was formed in Ghana by President Nana Akuffo-Addo of Ghana and his legal colleague Dr. Prempeh, nephew to the Ashanti King of Ghana.
Being friends with President Nana Akuffo Addo, Everett and George stayed at the Ringway Hotel in Accra, Ghana, which belonged to the Akuffo Addo's family. Here they entertained many important local celebrities such as Charles Harding, chairman of Standard bank and Chief Nana Jimmy Moxon of Aburi, the only known white gazzetted chief in Africa. Chief Moxon was among the durbar of chiefs at the Stadium, who in 1961, welcomed Queen Elizabeth II on her state visit to Ghana. Chief Moxon was carried shoulder high in a palanquin by male courtiers from his village Aburi in the hills outside Accra, the capital of Ghana, to the stadium where the ceremony was taking place.
In 1969, George and Mark Gilbey of the Gilbey & Matheson Gin dynasty, encouraged Jimmy Moxon to open two restaurants in Accra and Aburi Hills which he called " The Black Pot." Here, many diplomats, local businessmen, politicians, and artists mingled while they enjoyed the culture and food of Ghana and Europe.
As the good name of the Black Pot restaurant went viral, it attracted celebrities like J.J. Rawlings, and Nana Akuffo-Addo all Presidents of Ghana, Kofi Annan the UN Secretary General, Tiny Rowland of the Lonrho and Ashanti Goldfields, Humphrey Barclay producer and his partner actor Geabor Asante from the UK ITV series "Desmonds." Walter Esposito General Manager of UTC Department Store and Akosombo Textiles and Danish businessman Lars Skensved, whose factories FAN MILK in Accra and Tema, produced ice cream and dairy products delivered by boys on bicycles, similar to British Deliveroo in UK.
In London, Everett guided Victor Rothschild through negotiations involving the disposal of their hotels, chateaux and vineyards in UK and in France. Some of these including the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane London were sold to the Fortes family.
Everett guided the Bunker Hunt family of Texas when acquiring what was formerly St. George's Hospital, at Hyde Park Corner, London, This became the luxurious Lanesborough Hotel.
In London Everett introduced John Tigrett to Jimmy Goldsmith who was Jemima Goldsmith's father. John Tigrett, together with his son, Isaac Tigrett, own the renowned Hard Rock Cafes & Hotels chain at Hyde Park corner.
Jemima Goldsmith was a close friend of Lady Diana Spencer and they shared an apartment in Colherne Court in Earls Court London. Diana, before her marriage to Prince Charles, was frequently in the company of George and Everett together with Gervase Jackson-Stopps, chairman of the National Trust and David Hicks the Queens cousin at San Lorenzo in Beauchamp Place and Ponte Vecchio in Earls Court, London. George's last encounter with Princess Diana was at a drinks party to view George's refurbishment of the Managerie on the Althorp Estate which was sold to Gervais Jackson-Stopps. The Managerie is in the grounds of the stately home of the Spencer family.
In 1981, due to his business connections with Jimmy Goldsmith, Everett was able to get Dr. Hammer invited to Prince Charles and Diana's wedding.
In 1997 George gave professional advice to QC Trevor Philipson during the refurbishment of a rather dilapidated Chateau in the Dordogne district of France. To celebrate the refurbishment they held a fancy-dress party. Amongst the guests were the Mayor of Dordogne with his wife and Prime Minister Tony Blair and wife Cherie Blair. George invited Geoffrey Ellis who was Elton John's Administrator and Legal adviser, who lived in a nearby villa.
In 1985, during the period of the IRA bomb scares, Everett had invited lord Edward Montague of Beaulieu, Prince Assadine bin-Saud of Saudi Arabia, Ben Coleman of the Mustard dynasty, Mark Gilbey of the Gin dynasty, David Robertson of the Marmalade dynasty, Ambassador Alfredo Ricart, the doyen of the British Diplomatic Corps, Qaboos bin Al Said The Sultan of Oman and his entourage had occupied the third floor of the Grosvenor House Hotel, Burt Shevelove the Hollywood Film Director, The Duchess of Alba of Spanish Aristocratic family who arrived with Duarte Pinto Coelho a family friend from the Portuguese Aristocratic family, The Duchess of Argyll who lived at Grosvenor House Luxury apartments and George Acquah-Hayford to lunch at the Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane London. Before lunch alarms went off and the hotel had to be evacuated. Everyone gathered into the back street behind the hotel. Everett, George and Alfredo Ricart ( Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps) came to the rescue. They knew who to ask for help. Armed with a list of names, including Peter Twist (Senior Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, a personal friend), and Jimmy Goldsmith (who was lunching with Jacob Rothschild and John Tigrett at the Les Ambassadeurs Casino , nearby). Everett contacted Jimmy who said "I am in the club with Rothschild who just said please ask all your guests to join us".
Because of high security the names of the guests were kept secret and the strict rules of the Club regarding the numbers of guests were waived. Eventually they all enjoyed a sumptuous lunch.
George is currently writing his autobiography where fascinating details will be revealed.
Watch this space !
