Influences on Contemporary Ghanaian Dance: An Exploration of Viewpoint

The objective of this study was to examine some of the outside influences on Ghanaian dance and to explore the perspective that the people of Ghana hold towards those influences and contemporary dance in general. The research methods used in this study were library research, non-participant observation, and formal and informal interviewing. The results demonstrated a range of sentiments regarding the effects of outside influences on Ghanaian dance and culture. Some people forsee the influences leading to the degradation tradition and culture, while others see them as an avenue for Ghanaian artists to fully express themselves and pursue professional dance opportunities. The findings of this study showed that both perspectives co-exist in Ghana and the disagreement can actually serve to strengthen both fields of the dance community