Joseph Kwame Degbor was born to Mr. Paul Kwame Degbor and Sara Afua Nyamekye in Botoku, a small village in the Kpando District of the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa.

His father was a chief; hence Kwame was literarily born into drums, as there was a large collection of drums in his father’s palace. Kwame started handling drums as early as age four. At age six he started competing with elderly drummers on the talking drums, Borborbor, Zigi, Agbadza, Asafo, Adowa, and many others. All these go with their various songs and movements. At Middle School, Kwame became the leader of the school’s Cultural Troupe and at the Training College, he was a good dancer and drummer along side his beautiful voice, which landed him into the college choir. He was considered to be one of the best music students while in college. After training as a teacher, he developed more in the area of dance and raised a dance group in Agate, a village in the Hohoe District of the Volta Region. It was in Agate that the Arts Council of Ghana was impressed with his interest in drumming and dancing and appointed him as a representative for the Hohoe and Kpando Districts in 1982. Kwame became an integral part of the Centre for National Culture in 1982 and his travels led him throughout the Ho District of the Volta Region of Ghana training traditional groups in dance and drumming. He was transferred to Hohoe as the District Dance Coach in 1986. Also in 1986, Kwame was granted admission to the University of Ghana, Legon in Theatre Arts (Dance). Since there was no degree course for this subject until recently, Kwame graduated three years later with his Diploma. While at the University, he was nicknamed “Ghanababee” for his prolific performances on drums and his visually mesmerizing dance movements. After completing his course of study, Kwame returned to the Centre for National Culture in Ho and was put in charge of Performing Arts, where he continued his training of the various traditional groups in the region. He also traveled outside the Volta Region to teach dances in other parts of the country. In fact, Kwame became so popular that people have said “there is no village or dance forms in the Volta Region that he does not know.”

Kwame held three positions within the Centre for National Culture, Volta Region: Director of Programme, Artistic Director of the Centre’s Folkloric Company, and Acting Deputy Director for the Centre.

Here's what's been said about Kwame . . .

Those who are devoted to the traditional Ghanaian performing arts, students as well as scholars, hold a deep respect for the distinguished artistic abilities of Mr. Degbor; indeed he is considered by many as a national treasure in Ghana. Dr. Lewis Peterman, Professor of Music, Director of World Music, San Diego State University Vice President, Center for World Music Through Kwame's untiring efforts, the Ghana Education Service has established a very intimate rapport with the Centre for National Culture in the promotion and development of the Arts and Culture in the region. Victor H. K. Mensah, District Director, Ghana Education Service

It is rare to find someone with such a variety of knowledge in many different cultures. This is what makes Mr. Degbor so unique and I believe the success of each summer workshop in Ghana was highly influenced by Mr. Degbor's vast capabilities as a drummer, dancer, and historian for the many different ethnic groups presented during each tour. John Flood, Director of Percussion, San Diego State University Director of Ho-Asogli Kwame has taken personal interest in the San Diego State University Summer program and worked tirelessly each time to ensure that the students received the best exposure and instruction possible. It is my greatest joy that today, the San Diego State University African Ensemble is ranked among the best of such student performing groups in the USA. Thanks to Kwame for his support. Dr. W. Komla Amoaku, Executive Director, National Theatre of Ghana

As a graduate specializing in music and dance (dance ethnology) from the University of Ghana, Legon, Mr. Degbor has an encyclopedic knowledge of all the dance and music styles of Ghana, plus extended expertise in many other dance and music styles of traditional Sub-Saharan African. Mr. Degbor is truly an individual of superior talent. Danlee Mitchell, Professor of Music, San Diego State University Board Member, Center for World Music Due to his outstanding performances at the University of Ghana, Legon, I always use Mr. Degobr in all my film productions which need his expertise in drumming, dance performances and choreography. He is very articulate and creative. William Addo, Director, Centre for National Culture, Volta Region

Contact Kwame Degbor at kwamedegbor@hoasogli.com

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