The Manklalo Cultural Group is a collective of talented musicians and dancers dedicated to preserving and promoting authentic Ghanaian folk music and traditional dance. Each member brings unique skills and plays a vital role in delivering the group’s vibrant and culturally rich performances. Here’s a look at the individuals behind the rhythms and melodies:
Instrumentalists
Dominic Yamoah – Talking Drum Player
Dominic plays the Talking Drum, an hourglass-shaped instrument native to Northern Ghana. Using a curved stick and squeezing cords to change pitch, Dominic masterfully communicates through rhythm and tone, adding expressive storytelling to every performance.
Kingsley Osei – Mpintintoa (Gourd Drum) Player
Kingsley plays the Mpintintoa, a traditional gourd drum worn across the chest and played with both hands. His rhythms contribute to the group’s deeply rooted Northern Ghanaian soundscape.
Peter Ayamga – Djembe Player
Peter brings dynamic energy with the Djembe, a goblet-shaped drum played with bare hands. His ability to produce a range of tones—from deep bass to sharp slaps—creates the rhythmic foundation for the group.
Eric Darkwa – Seprewa Player
Eric plays the Seprewa, an ancient Akan harp-like instrument. With its delicate plucking tones, he helps keep the ensemble in melodic harmony and links traditional Ghanaian music to West African stringed instrument traditions.
Yaw Asante Gyimah – Conga Player
Yaw plays the Conga, a tall, narrow drum usually paired for rich, rhythmic dialogue. His playing brings pulse and percussive depth to the group’s performances.
Richmond Karikari – Prepensua (Traditional Box Piano) Player
Richmond plays the Prepensua, a bamboo or metal instrument related to the African mbira. With his fingers, he produces bass rhythms that ground the ensemble’s drumming and singing.
Musah Shaibu – Gome Drum Player
Musah plays the Gome, a large box-shaped drum traditionally used by the Ga and Ashanti people. Sitting atop the drum, he plays with his hands and heels, providing a powerful rhythmic base.
Alphonse Doamepkor – Kora Player
Alphonse brings melodic elegance with the Kora, a 21-stringed harp-lute used widely across West Africa. His playing adds lyrical depth and fluid transitions between pieces.
Eliasu Mustapha – Atumpan (Talking Drums) Player
Eliasu plays the Atumpan, a pair of male and female talking drums mounted on a frame. Using curved sticks, he produces call-and-response patterns that mirror traditional Ghanaian speech rhythms.
Bright Lodo – Apentema Drum Player
Bright plays the Apentema, a compact yet resonant support drum. Whether backing the ensemble or leading in Adzewa and Kurunkyu music, his rhythms enrich the group’s percussive layers.
Ebenezer Sarpong – Dawuro (Metal Bell) Player
Ebenezer plays the Dawuro, a traditional Ghanaian bell similar to a cowbell. As a timekeeper, his steady beat anchors the tempo and coordinates the ensemble.
Bernard Korankye – Maracas Player
Bernard adds texture with the Maracas, shaker instruments that complement the drum rhythms with percussive ornamentation.
Vocalists & Dancers
Comfort Amoah – Treble Singer & Dancer
Comfort performs both as a high-pitched (treble) singer and cultural dancer. She specializes in Agbadza, Adowa, Kpanlogo, and Borborbor, connecting the audience with Ghanaian storytelling through dance.
Pamela Akrong – Alto Singer & Dancer
Pamela provides rich alto vocals and showcases traditional dances like Agbadza, Adowa, Kpanlogo, and Borborbor, bringing warmth and harmony to the group’s sound.
Rena Assuah – High-Tenor Singer & Dancer
Rena’s powerful high-tenor voice and energetic dance skills give the performances emotional range and visual vibrancy.
Rita Addo – Treble Singer & Dancer
Rita, like her colleague Comfort, lends bright treble harmonies and performs expressive cultural dances that captivate audiences across age groups.
Together, these dedicated artists form a vibrant collective that celebrates Ghanaian identity through rhythm, melody, and movement. Manklalo Cultural Group continues to uphold and pass on the rich heritage of Ghana’s music and dance traditions, one performance at a time.
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