Noyam African Dance Institute

The Noyam African Dance Institute was established in 1998 as the first private dance training institution and approved by the Ghana Education Service(GES). "Noyam", sands for development or moving- on, in the Ga-Dangbe language of Ghana, is an initiative for the training of youth and the development of Traditional and Contemporary African dance in Ghana.
As a fore-runner in the development of Contemporary African Dance in Ghana, the Noyam African Dance Institute has embarked on an educational and performance training programme for the youth and social development for past nine years with great success with initial funding from the Danish Development Agency, (DANIDA).
Geographical Location:
The Institute which for the past nine years has been temporarily located in Madina near the University of Ghana campus in Accra, is about to move into its uncompleted permanent building at the foothills of the picturesque Akwapim Range in the historical town of Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region. Dodowa is easily accessible north of the Capital city of Accra. The town is known for its mysterious forests, water falls, panoramic views and other attractions.
The activities of Noyam and its presence in the town will not only bring international focus to the needs of the communities in and around the area but will greatly help maintain the environment and revamp these communities as well as provide artistic and other vocations to the citizens and empower the deprived youth in this culturally rich area.
Areas of Operation:
To facilitate the above mission and objectives, Noyam operates seven inter-disciplinary divisions:


A Dance Academy

A Dance-Theatre Company

A Community Youth Dance Group

A Community Out Reach Programme

An International Dance Festival

A Research and Documentation unit, and

An Extension and Exchange Programme Unit

Training
Noyam derives its technique and methodology from the movement characteristics, aesthetic qualities and philosophy of the African dance traditions and the enormous movement and rhythmic resources available in the various communities. In developing our approach, we also looked at compatible elements from international artistic forms and products; and the dynamic experiences of dance practitioners involved in the development of dance in Ghana and elsewhere over the years. The style and vocabulary of Noyam is based on the philosophy that the human body is the manifestation of the life force – the tool for the creation and dissemination of dance to mirror the experiences and aspirations of the various communities. Dance should therefore, not be limited in its ability to absorb movement, wherever it comes from, so long as it reflects the true nature of things.