Nii Ardey Allotey and Ekome

Nii Ardey comes from Southern Ghana, where his Ga people are avid fishermen, musicians and story-tellers. The family house, Ardey Aquawei, where he grew up in Accra, is a training ground for current and aspiring chiefs, master drummers and apprentices.Nii Ardey began drumming and dancing formally at the age of four. His uncle, Oketei Frank Lee pioneered a style of Kpanlogo dancing which he passed on to Nii Ardey.Nii Ardey worked with the Arts Council of Ghana which sponsored his research of the music and dances of many other Ghanaian ethnic groups. By 18, Nii Ardey was one of Ghana's leading dancers and drummers, travelling to Italy, Romania, Liberia, Germany, Russian, Peurto Rico, Japan and America.His music encompasses the various ethnic groupings of Ghana, including Eew, the Dagbani, and Ga -Adagbe. Nii Ardey is founder and leader of Ekome (Unity), a group of dancers and drummers performing traditional Ghanaian music and dance.