Anybody Can Dance (ABCD) Academy: A youthful group repositioning dance as a tool for inclusion and cultural expression

By Patrick PAINTSIL

In the buzzing arts scene of Ghana’s Eastern Region, one creative academy is quietly and sustainably reshaping the future of young people in the community with dance.

The Anybody Can Dance (ABCD) Academy is proving that dance is beyond entertainment; it could also be leveraged as a tool for youth empowerment, cultural preservation and a source of livelihood.

It is an inclusive movement with a noble vision: to give young people access to quality dance education regardless of age, background or physical ability in a region that boasts a rich pool of creatives — one that grooms talents, builds confidence and promotes discipline.

Six years down the line, ABCD Academy has evolved from a small community initiative into a rising cultural force and one of the region’s most recognised dance institutions with its rich blend of creativity and inclusivity, while its social impact continues to attract admiration from all and sundry. “We want dance to be a bridge that connects dancers and creative performers to opportunities in the arts and culture sector. As an academy, we want to position dance as a tool for self-expression and economic empowerment,” said Mr. Evans Ocloo, Manager of ABCD Academy.

The spirit of inclusion runs deep in the academy’s values. Persons with disabilities train alongside experienced performers, and complete beginners receive the same attention and encouragement as seasoned dancers.

A major strength of ABCD Academy lies in its official affiliation with the Centre for National Culture, Eastern Region; a working partnership that anchors ABCD firmly within Ghana’s cultural ecosystem, ensuring that its works are aligned with national standards in dance, cultural performance and promotion. “Our partnership with the Centre for National Culture shows that we are a growing family that’s not just training dancers—we want to preserve Ghana’s rich dance culture.

“Our diverse membership base reflects both the rising popularity of dance and our commitment to target all youth—regardless of age, gender or economic background,” Mr. Ocloo shared.

Today, the academy trains 68 dancers across different age categories: comprising of 43 adult male, 12 adult female dancers, eight (8) male kid dancers and five (5) female kid dancers. These dancers have performed in schools and cultural shows across the Eastern Region and beyond.

By creating a space where young people can learn, perform and dream, the academy is helping to reduce poverty and unemployment through the creative arts. Its impact on members and the society has been glaring: some dancers from the academy perform professionally to earn an income through gigs and digital content creation.

Anybody Can Dance Academy is not just its artistic flair but a cultural force with a broader vision for youth development, cultural promotion and social change.

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