Creative Infusions
The ensemble has had the privilege of artistic direction by celebrated choreographers.
Prof. Albert Mawere Opoku (1962-1976)
The ground-break work of artist and choreographer A. Mawere Opoku set Ghanaian dance for the formal stage. In his hands the Ghana Dance Ensemble joined with the Ballet Africaine of Guinea bursting with the brilliant energy of nationhood onto the world stage. His world class legacy is elegant, powerful and unifying.
Prof. A. M. Opoku was a multifaced Ghanaian artist known for his role as a choreographer, dancer, printmaker, painter, and educator. Born into an Asante royal family, he received primary and secondary education at Kumasi Government school and Achimota Training College. Encouraged by H. V. Meyerowitz, Opoku pursued Fine Arts and Painting at the Achimota Special Arts Teachers School, followed by studies in London at the Camberwell School of Art and Crafts and the Central School of Art and Crafts. He perfected his skills in Labanotation, Stage Craft and Dance Techniques in New York. In 1962, Prof. Opoku joined the University of Ghana responding to the idea proposed y Ghana’s president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Rex Nettleford to create the Ghana National Dance Company. He played a pivotal role in documenting traditional Dances across the country and under Professor J.H. Kwabena Nketia’s directorship, choreographed dances that became the standard repertoire of the Ghana Dance Ensemble.
Opoku’s contributions extend to designing the University of Ghana’s crest and found the Ghana Dance
Ensemble. His legacy includes over 30 choreographic compositions, such as Fontomfrom, Kpanlogo, Kete Apintim, Tokpey, Tora and Have Etoi (also known as bͻbͻͻbͻ). Prof. Opoku passed away in 2001.
Prof. Francis Nii Yartey (1976-1992)
Learning at the feet of Mawere Opoku, Nii Yartey’s creations exploded in a dynamic kaleidoscope of dance theatre, seeking the meaning of life for the contemporary African. A professor of dance, he interrogates his own heritage and dialogues vigorously with other cultures. Nii Yartey has worked collaboratively from all over the world. Professor Francis Nii Yartey, a distinguished Ghanaian choreographer, dancer, and professor, left an indelible mark on the world of dance and academia during his impactful career.
Prof. Yartey earned his certificate and diploma at the University of Ghana in 1968 and 1971, respectively. Influenced by luminaries such as J.H. Nketia, Efua Sutherland, and Albert Opoku Mawere, he pursued a Master of Arts degree at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1975. In the annals of Ghanaian dance, Prof. Nii Yartey assumed the role of Director/Choreographer of the Ghana Dance Ensemble in 1976, succeeding the esteemed Professor Albert Mawere Opoku. He led the ensemble until 1993 when it transitioned to the National Theatre, subsequently renamed the National Dance Company.
Continuing his commitment to education, Nii Yartey became an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana in 2006. He taught at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, USA, and later at Ashesi University College as an adjunct professor. Eventually, he returned to the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts (SPA) as the head of the Department of Dance Studies.
In 2015, he was re-appointed as the Artistic Director of the Ghana Dance Ensemble, a position he held until his passing. His dedication to dance and education continued to shine even in his final appointment. In recognition of his profound contributions to the development of dance in Ghana, Prof. Yartey was awarded the Grand Medal (Civil Division) in 2000. Between 1999 and 2008, Nii Yartey showcased his choreographic prowess in the opening and closing ceremonies of international football tournaments hosted by Ghana, including the prestigious 2008 African Cup of Nations.
Professor Francis Nii Yartey’s legacy lives on in the rhythm of Ghanaian dance and the hearts of those he inspired. His multifaceted contributions as a choreographer, dancer, and educator remain a testament to his enduring impact.
Mr. E. Ampofo Duodu (1993-1997)
Mr. Emmanuel Ampofo Duodu served as the Artistic Director of the Ghana Dance Ensemble from 1993 to 1997. During hhis leadership, he not only reorganized traditional dances, provided them with new names, but also crafted original choreographic pieces. In addition to contributing his own creations, he evaluated and refined existing choreography within the ensemble. Noteworthy among his classic choreographic works are Ayaresa, Nsrabor (The Drill) and the Slave Trade.
Mr. Ampofo Duodu was one of the founding members of the Ghana Dance Ensemble. He was a trailblazer of the School of Music and Drama, underwent training under the guidance of Professor Mawere Opoku and J. H. Kwabena Nketia. Prior to assuming the role at GDE, he conducted research projects encompassing the documentation of Akan customary behaviour such as attitudes, postures, emotional expressions, acting techniques in storytelling, acting styles in rituals, libations, and distinctive movements mannerisms in emotional situations. Additionally, his research delved into the geographic influence on the utilization of costume, makeup, and artefacts.
Mr. Ampofo Duodu retired and handed over the position of Artistic Directorship of the GDE to Mr. Nii Kwei Sowah in 1997.
Mr. Oh! Nii Kwei Sowah (1997-2002)
Mr. Nii Kwei Sowah is a retired lecturer and former head of the Department of Dance Studies at the School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon. His illustrious career in academic spans several years, marking a significant chapter in the institution’s legacy.
Having dedicated his expertise to the realm of dance, Mr. Sowah holds a distinguished Master of Arts degree in Dance from the University of California, Irvine. This advanced degree not only underscores his commitment to academic excellence, but also highlights his international exposure and engagement with the global dance community.
In the late 1990s, Mr. Sowah assumed pivotal roles as the Artistic Director of Abibigromma, the University of Ghana’s Resident Theatre Company, from 1997 to 1999. During this period, he played a crucial role in shaping the artistic landscape of the University of the university, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural and theatrical fabric.
Simultaneously, he took on the responsibility of steering the artistic vision of the Ghana Dance Ensemble from 1997 to 2002. As the Artistic Director, Mr. Sowah contributed significantly to the growth and prominence of the ensemble, solidifying its position as a beacon of cultural expression both nationally and internationally.
Mr. Nii Kwei Sowah is not only a contributor to institutional success, but also a visionary leader in 1987, he founded the Performing Arts Workshop (PAWS), where he served as the founding Executive Artistic Director. This initiative reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to fostering the development of performing arts outside the traditional academic setting.
Dr. Benjamin Obido Ayettey (2002-2015)