Asahene Marks 25 Years On Int’l Stage

Asahene displaying his dance moves

 

Renowned international cultural dancer Lawrence Quaye, popularly known as Asahene, has celebrated 25 years of promoting Ghanaian and African dance on the global stage.

The Silver Jubilee event was marked by high-energy performances by dancers and drummers who showcased discipline, precision, and intelligence on stage. The drummers demonstrated seamless transitions from beat to beat, while the dancers captivated the audience with choreography that depicted freedom, joy, and African heritage.

The celebrant himself appeared in a grand dance performance that drew applause from guests and dignitaries present.

Speaking at the celebration, Asahene shared lessons from his 25-year journey in the industry. “Being authentic is what distinguishes an individual from others. It is something I want to pass on to the next generation of cultural dancers,” he said.

He described dance as therapeutic and called for its inclusion in school curricula to help preserve the heritage and identity of Africans. “Culture is who we are. If we don’t teach it to our children, we will lose it,” he added.

He urged upcoming dancers to remain focused and disciplined, noting that consistency has been the secret behind his longevity in the industry.

As part of the celebration, Asahene honoured some of his students and colleagues in the cultural dance fraternity for their contributions to promoting Ghanaian dance. Awardees included Caroline Yeme from the Ghana Dance Ensemble, Sylvia Ablateye, Edward Lamptey, and Esther Amakwa, among others.

In an interview, Caroline Yeme, Principal Cultural Officer at the Ghana Dance Ensemble, said cultural dance is gradually fading from the mainstream. “The dances have meaning, and some are even healing for the body. It is time for cultural dancers to work together with the media to help project cultural dance and make it more attractive to the youth,” she stated.

She commended Asahene for his 25 years of service and urged stakeholders to invest in cultural education to ensure the art form remains relevant for future generations.

The event ended with a call for stronger collaboration between cultural institutions, the media, and schools to safeguard Africa’s dance heritage.

By Florence Adom Asamoah

 

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