Pay Dancers What They Deserve - Robert Klah
In the vibrant culture where rhythm and movement are at the forefront, the CEO of Dancetera, organisers of the Ghana Dance Festival, Robert Klah, is making a powerful plea to event organisers, musicians and all players within the creative industry to honour our dancers with the respect and compensation they deserve. For far too long, dancers have been treated like mere accessories. Their vital contributions to the cultural and entertainment landscape have been overshadowed by other creatives.
Despite their pivotal roles whether electrifying high-profile performances or breathing life into music through captivating choreography and viral dance challenges dancers remain undervalued and underappreciated. In a recent conversation with Graphic Showbiz, Klah voiced a deep concern about this oversight. The marginalisation of dancers isn’t a new issue, Klah states passionately. These artistes are consistently overlooked, even though they are the driving force behind many musical successes.
Think about it: yes, they may have unique sounds identifying them, but at the mention of Adowa, Agbadza, Borborbor, etc. what readily comes to mind? It’s not just the music, it’s the dance that brings it to life. For Africans, dance is intertwined with every celebration and cultural expression; it is our heritage, he stated. Yet, the dance industry in Ghana faces significant challenges, stemming from structural issues that restrict progress to lack of dedicated platforms to showcase talent and the absence of media attention on dance as a legitimate art form.
How many platforms truly celebrate dance? Klah questions. We need the media to step up and broadcast the rich tapestry of dance culture. What the public sees is just the tip of the iceberg. Klah passionately urges the media to shine a spotlight on our dancers their stories, their artistry, their events. Mainstream media do not have enough programmes to project dancers. We lack dedicated journalists with interest in the dance-related activities, and lack of funding for dance-related events, affecting the organisation and publicity of the programmes. We need TV shows that celebrate dance beyond competitions. Print and online media must publish articles, interviews and coverage dedicated to dancers and their invaluable contributions. It’s essential for our collective progress
