Entertainment
Harnessing the business side of dancing …Isaac Allotey shows the way
• Isaac Allotey
Isaac Allotey aka ‘The African Lion’ has proved that dancing is not only an art for pleasure or exercise, but it is a serious business.
Starting as a juvenile dancer with friends and joining groups to dance, he never knew he could be famous, until he grew up and travelled outside Ghana.
Dancing to the highest level has propelled him gain knowledge in a field, and believes young people in the space could capitalise on their talent to make ends meet.
According to him building a unique brand opened a lot of doors and lifted one above those seeing it as pleasure.
Against this backdrop, ‘The African Lion’ has a huge heart and believes in giving back to society.
His philanthropic endeavours include Dancefrica, a US non-profit organisation that he co-founded and serves as a director.
Dancefrica’s mission is to invest in the future of Ghanaian children by providing financial and creative support to undeserved, high risk children, so they may find success and prosper in their adulthood.
The nonprofit’s first big event is Save the Dance, a competition for children under 17.
Isaac Allotey is again a founding member of the Ghana Alliance of Dance Professionals and has been able to maintain his connections with his international students by providing online classes and workshops during the pandemic.
His talent and fantastic special skills in moving his body and taking majestic steps earned him the Ghana National Dance Champion in 2002, and won the Malta Guinness National Champion in 2005.
Through dance, he has been exposed to many things in life and experienced different cultures, and travelled to the USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Cape Verde and Togo.
He has worked on series of television programmes, and was a main judge for the Bumper to Bumper 2021, an eight weeks televised competition on TV Africa.
Allotey choreographed the opening dance for Di Asa, an Atinka TV Reality Series and Competition featuring the dance talent of women and worked on the Lawrence Otoo Dance Competition as a Judge.
Ghanaian gospel dynamo, Piesie Esther, has expressed her readiness to take home the Gospel Artiste of the Year, Telecel Most Popular Song of the Year and Traditional Gospel Song of the Year awards at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
The musician with many years of success under her belt in the gospel music industry has been nominated for three categories at this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
Piesie Esther was nominated for Gospel Artiste of the Year, Traditional Gospel Song of the Year, and Most Popular Song of the Year with her smash hit, Nyame Ye.
The award-winning musician believes that she had a wonderful year in 2025, which deserves recognition.
According to her, with over 36 shows, millions of streams enjoyed by her Nyame Ye song, coupled with numerous brand engagements, she was in a pole position to outwit other competitors.
“Family, I need your love and support now more than ever! I’ve been nominated at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards and we’re going all out for the win! ,” she noted.
She called on all and sundry that “Every single vote counts, and I truly appreciate your continuous support. Let’s do this together.”
This year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards is slated for May 9, 2026 at the Palms Convention Centre in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Patrons at +233 Bar and Lounge had an unforgettable experience at the OK@50 All White Birthday Party last Saturday, April 18.
The Ghanaian music icon, Okyeame Kwame, turned 50 years last Friday, April 17, 2026.
Against this backdrop, the ‘Rap Dacta’ organised an All-White Party on Saturday to mark his 50th birthday to raise funds for the construction of a Paediatric Emergency Ward at the Manhyia Hospital.
This is a legacy project the musician is embarking on to mark his 50th birthday.
As part of the concert, patrons were treated to scintillating live performances by Afriyie Wutah, Akwaboah, Sista Afia, Kuami Eugene, KiDi, Kwabena Kwabena, Ras Kuuku, Abiana, Adina, Abochi, Kweku Darlington, and Kunta Kinte of Bradez fame.
One of the country’s finest DJs, Andy Dosty, also had his turn to mesmerise the patrons with hits from the past to present, a moment which saw many patrons on their feet for most of the time.
Okyeame Kwame rocked the gathering with numerous hits from his repertoire, including his new song dubbed ‘Clap.’
He also expressed appreciation to those who has genuinely supported his career to impact the lives of others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
