Mr. Godson Atsu Sokpor

MR. GODSON ATSU SOKPOR

Godson Atsu Sokpor is currently an Assistant Lecturer with the Department of Dance Studies. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree (Music and Dance) and a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in Theatre Arts (Dance – Choreography) from the University of Ghana, Legon.
His thesis project was centered on the history and choreography of Fumɛfumɛ, a relatively new dance style that originated in the late 1960s. Through interviews with the creators of the modern dance and analysis of performances, he traces movements borrowed from traditional dances of the Ga-Dangme people of Greater Accra. He discusses how Fumɛfumɛ is evolving, sometimes beyond recognition: non-Ghanaian instruments like the djembe and dundun have been introduced to ensembles, and many of today’s performers use incorrect costumes. Ultimately, he staged a performance of Ga dances, culminating in the Fumɛfumɛ. The title of his thesis is Fumɛfumɛ: Creating a New Dance Form from Traditional Dances, Godson Atsu Sokpor teaches both theory and practice courses in the Department of Dance Studies; including Choreography, Dance Composition, Traditional Dance, Dance Technique, Traditional Drumming, Stage Craft, Dance Ritual and Art, and Orientation to the Theatre. His major creative works include UG @ 70 (Choreography) Futunfrans, hybridization of cultures (Choreography), Ade-Ku We, the untold story of our creative ancestors (Choreography), Dynamite, a T.V commercial for Dynamite Energy Drink (Choreography), et cetera.

Atsu has worked with performing artists such as the late Professor F. Nii-Yartey,( Ghana), Mr. David Akushey Amoo (Ghana),  Professor Kumpulainen Seppo ( Finland), Serge Aime Coulibaly (based in France), Aida Colmenero Diaz (Spain),  Nii Tete Kodjo Boye (based in Japan), Robin Cantrell and Sean Scantlebury of Battery Dance Company ( U.S.A).

Mr. Sokpor has numerous international collaborations to his credit; Kinder festival (Holland) Kabawil.de (Germany), Kpanlogo World Music (Japan), Busan Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (M.B.C Korea), Council on International Educational Exchange, (CIEE U.S.A).
For over seven years, Atsu Sokpor has held Music and Dance workshops centered on the culture, values and philosophy of Ghanaian traditions for several universities in the United States of America (Washington University, Wilfrid Laurier University, and UCLA).

Mr. Godson Atsu Sokpor is currently conducting research in the following areas:

1.  Stigmatization of Performing Artists in Ghana: Causes and Recommendations
2.  Tribal Marks, Meaning and Its Effect on Make-Up in Dance Performances
3.  Drumming For Love: Using Traditional Drumming as a Tool for Effective
     Communication in Relationships.

Mr. Sokpor also has certificates in Guidance, Counselling and Management, from Global Institute of Resource Development (GIRD) Accra, Leadership Certificate from Fire Mountain Prayer Ministry, Accra (six years intensive practical training), Leadership Training for Pastors and Ministry Leaders by Global Leadership Training International (U.S.A.) on topics such as integrity and sexual ethics among others.