About

Ms Dede Gjanmaki Akornor-Tetteh is a Mellon Fellow, an enthusiast of Dance and Wellness, performer, and researcher with interest in the wellness dimension of dance as a non-pharmacological intervention tool. She holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (Dance and Theatre Arts) and a Master of Philosophy in Dance Studies from the University of Ghana. 

At the undergraduate level, she had the opportunity to be tutored by seasoned dance scholars in Ghana like the late Nii Yartey, Seth A. Newman, Oh! Nii Kwei Sowah, Aristedes Narh Hargoe Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor and Terry Bright Ofosu. This exposed her to Traditional African Dance techniques, Popular Dance technique, Contemporary African Dance technique as well as the wellness dimension of dance.

Ms Akornor-Tetteh won a scholarship under the Andrew Mellon Foundation to study at the postgraduate level. Her thesis examined how dance movement technique can be used as a somatic practice to improve the wellbeing of the elderly in Ghana.  She has since carved a niche for herself as a specialist in dance and wellness through the initiative and hard work of Mr. Seth Asare Newman. For instance, as founder of Soma-Wellnessgh she continues to employ popular Ghanaian dance movement techniques as a form of cardio therapy for corporate entities such as the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) at East Legon, and for some Senior Members of the University of Ghana. 

Currently, Ms Dede Gjanmaki Akornor-Tetteh is an Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Dance Studies, University of Ghana where she teaches Dance movement technique, Dance and wellness and African dance performance at the undergraduate level. She also serves as a Dance Instructor and Facilitator for the collaborative Dance and Fitness Program between the Department of Dance Studies and the Centre for Ageing Studies, University of Ghana.

Education

Educational Qualifications: Bachelor degree in dance and theatre art. ( University of Ghana)

Master of Philosophy in Dance Studies ( Dance in Education.( University of Ghana)

Research Interest

Dance as a Somatic practice, Dance and wellness and Dance performance aesthetics

Publications

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE     

-Founder, Facilitator and dance instructor for Soma-Wellnesgh- Present

-Dance and drama choreographer for NetrightGh 2023

-Drama and dance choreographer for Ghana Birth and Death Registry

sensitization 2023

-Programs coordinator  /Assistant choreographer for Para African Games     opening ceremony      2023

-ArtLab2023 Ghana and Germany collaborations on dance disagreement and coexistence May 29th to June 11th

-Wogbe Jeke Total Theatre Performances