Joseph Kodjo Annang in a one-on-one session with an Australian learner
One doesn’t need to be told Joseph Kodjo Annang is in his element whenever he sits behind a drum or sets out to dance, as the level of intensity is always high whether teaching or performing with a group.
After many years of being part of outfits like Shikuloi Group, Ghana Dance Association, Hedzole Cultural Group, Kusun Esemble and Akuma Dance Ensemble, Annang has eventually floated his own band called Manye Ensemble.
“Manye in the language of the Ga-Dangme people means ‘success’ and that’s what I’m out to achieve with my band. We’ve been there and evolving gradually, but we are out full blast now and as the saying goes: ain’t no stopping us now’,” Annang said in an interview.
A master drummer proficient on traditional drums like Kpanlogo, Atsimevu, Djembe, Atumpani, Sogo, Odono, Brekete and Gome, Annang loves to teach others how to extract beautiful sounds from those equipment and also how to dance to their engrossing rhythms.
He has been doing that for over 18 years, which include time as a volunteer drumming and dance instructor at New Life Nungua Children’s Home International and the Jasper Foundation International School, also at Nungua.
In addition, he taught Ga to the children and was always able to situate the traditional music and dance in their proper contexts.
His one-on-one lessons have earned him the nickname of ‘Drum Professor.’ To him, there are so many delightful Ghanaian rhythms and dances that more people, both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians, need to know about, and is always happy to impart what he knows.
Now that his own Manye Ensemble is up and running, Annang’s big dream is to shore it up into a formidable unit capable of holding out its own on any stage across the world.
By George Clifford Owusu