Wednesday, 15 January

Run your dancing craft as a business –Adjetey Sowah urges young dancers

Entertainment
Adjetey Sowah being interviewed by KKD

Ghanaian dance icon Mr Adjetey Sowah has called on young dancers to view their craft not just as entertainment but as a viable business venture.

Speaking on the personality show MASTER OF THE GAME hosted by His Royal Blackness King Kwasi Kyei Darkwah (KKD) on Accra-based CTV on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Mr Adjetey Sowah emphasized the importance of planning for the future.

He urged young dancers to avoid being swayed by the glamour and fun of dancing and instead focus on building sustainable careers.

“Dancing as a business can secure your future when you’re no longer able to perform,” Sowah advised, sharing how his early business-minded approach to dancing shaped his success.

Recounting his journey, Adjetey Sowah revealed that he started earning money from dancing at a young age, which allowed him to build his first house at just 19.

“Anytime I was billed for a show, I insisted on receiving my payment in full,” he said, attributing this discipline to his ability to sustain his career.

Today I am into real estate among other businesses stemming from savings from dancing, he said. 

He applauded contemporary young dancers who have established dance studios and schools, describing these efforts as commendable steps toward professionalizing the craft and preserving the industry’s future in Ghana.

Now Ghana seems to be leading Nigeria when it comes to dancing while they also lead us in the music industry, he said.  

Mr Adjetey Sowah also reflected on his tenure as Director of Dance at the National Theatre, where he choreographed state events under the late President Jerry John Rawlings.

He recounted how his professional interactions with the former president influenced him to support the National Democratic Congress (NDC) by voting for the party at the polls.  

He shared a memorable story about his performance at an event attended by President Rawlings.

Before the start of the show, a gentleman warned him against performing the 'Zombie' dance, which mimicked the military. However, Sowah followed his instincts and went ahead with the routine. “To my surprise, I saw the former President laughing throughout the performance,” he said, noting that the performance earned him a call from Miss Korkor Amarteifio to serve as the National Theatre’s Director of Dance.

Despite early challenges, including attempts to discourage him, Sowah emphasized the importance of resilience and intuition in achieving success.

“That gentleman could have killed my spirit that day, but I trusted my instincts, and it paid off,” he remarked.

Adjetey Sowah, who now owns AJ’s Royal Guest House in Teshie-Nungua, concluded by encouraging young dancers to take their craft seriously.

“This is not just fun; it’s a business. Treat it as such, and you’ll build a legacy for yourself.”

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah