Ghanaian Dancer Endurance Grand Criticizes TGMAs for Snubbing Creative Dance Community

Endurance Grand Demands Recognition for Dancers in Ghana’s Entertainment Industry

Ghana’s most-followed TikTok sensation and acclaimed dancer, Endurance Grand, is calling for greater recognition and inclusion of dancers within Ghana’s entertainment ecosystem. In a compelling interview on the Talk No Dey Cook Rice podcast hosted by Derick Elorm Ashilevi, the influential dance icon voiced concerns about the continued marginalization of dancers despite their critical contributions to the success of music in Ghana.

Endurance Grand, who has built a loyal fanbase through captivating choreography and viral dance challenges, emphasized that dancers play an integral role in promoting music artists and driving viral trends. However, she expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition in major award platforms, especially the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), where dancers are often left out of key categories.

“We’ve reached a point where dancers who create routine choreographies for music videos, performances for artist tours, deserve more than just a tag on social media,” she told Elorm.

She explained that while dancers may not receive music royalties like recording artists, their work contributes to the visibility, reach, and financial success of songs. The call for recognition isn’t about money, she clarified, but about industry validation and long-term sustainability.

“Today, it’s no longer just about going viral. It’s about being recognised the right way, because dance has become a real source of income,” Endurance stated.
“Dance has put food on my table. It has put food on my colleagues’ tables. So if we’re doing this out of love, the least the world can do is see it and be inspired to join it.”

She urged the industry to consider adding dedicated dance categories to major award schemes like TGMA, highlighting the growing importance of choreographers and dance influencers in music promotion and artist branding.

Endurance also discussed the challenges dancers face when their choreography is copied or remixed without credit. While she acknowledged that it’s difficult to monetize dance routines, what dancers truly seek is acknowledgment and representation.

“Music artists earn royalties when someone plays their song. Dancers, on the other hand, earn nothing when their moves are copied. We don’t profit from it, and that’s okay. But acknowledgement? Being placed in the right categories? That’s what we’re asking for now. It’s time.”

The interview also explored the personal side of Endurance Grand’s journey, including how she manages competition in the dance industry, what drives her creativity, and the emotional toll of her father’s passing—a loss she admits she’s still coping with.

Despite the challenges and oversight, Endurance Grand remains committed to pushing boundaries in the dance world and using her platform to amplify the voices of underrepresented performers.

As Ghana’s creative industry continues to evolve, her message serves as a powerful reminder of the need for inclusion, appreciation, and fair representation for all players driving the entertainment landscape forward.