Sohu Cultural Troupe, a traditional music and dance group based in Accra, has declared its intention to offer free training to the youth who want to learn traditional music and dance, as part of its programmes designed to promote cultural music and dance among Ghanaians.

The group performs traditional African music and dance alongside their own creative and choreographed dance pieces.

Since its establishment in 2000, Sohu Cultural Troupe has gained recognition throughout the country due to its spectacular performances.

Recently, the group’s performance at Iron City near Kasoa and Krokrobite attracted a large number of cultural music lovers, who danced with the group throughout the event.

In their quest to develop a new style of Ghanaian music, they have managed to carve a niche for themselves through performances that dazzle audiences in Ghana and around the world.

Members of Sohu include Joseph Essien; Nicolas Adjei; Benedicta Azorbli; Janet Atta; Jemima Oboni and Kwaku Adu.
Others are Herbert Tekyi-Mensah; George Nyarko; Yaw Adu; Kwesi Annan and Isaac Seidu.

The rest are Abdulai Obodai; Patrick Opoku; Joseph Appiah; and Elizabeth Asare.

According Joseph Essien, leader of the group, the style of Sohu is based on the philosophy that the human body is manifestation of the life force, and that the creation and dissemination of dance mirrors the experiences and aspirations of various communities.

He said the mission of the group is to promote and sustain African culture by presenting dance and music that illuminates the richness and diversity of African traditional values.

Essien disclosed that currently, the group is working with a music production company to organise workshops for school children that are interested in African music and dance.

In addition to sharing of artistic ideas and exploration of some artistic areas of production, the group will also introduce the children to various aspects of Ghanaian cultural music and dance that would also be beneficial to up and coming groups in the creation of choreographic works.

By George Clifford Owusu