“Akwaba” is  a commonly-used word in Ivory Coast of West Africa by the Akan people, meaning “Welcome”, the way of accepting people or visitors saying that our doors are open for them.

Mr. Assamoa is the founder, CEO and artistic director of Akwaba Cultural Exchange, an organization dedicated to cultural exchange, educational programs and performance based in Canada.  He is also the founder, CEO and artistic director of The Nzassa Company Inc., a non-profit cultural organization based in New York City.  His companies have toured in the Ivory Coast and the United States.  Through movement, music, and voice his workshops, classes and performances reveal the essence, mystery and power of African dance and culture.  Mr. Assamoa also co-founde and was artistic director for The Mask Dance Company, Inc.

Mr. Assamoa was born in the southeastern region of the Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa in the city of Abidjan, the economic capital of Cote d’Ivoire.  Since youth he was trained in the performing arts, focusing primarily on theater, poetry and dance from the diverse regions of Cote d’Ivoire.

At the age of eighteen, Mr. Assamoa became a member of the Sekedoua Theatre of Koumassi and the Griot Cultural of Cocody.  He traveled and performed with these two companies for four years after which he enrolled in the Department of Drama at the National Institute of Arts in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.  He graduated in 1989 from the National Institute of Arts with a degree in the performing arts, dance and theatre education.

From September 1989 to October 1995, Mr. Assamoa studied at the prestigious School of Dance and Cultural Exchange, The Foundation Rose Marie Guiraud, in the areas of dance education and the performing arts.  During this period of time, Mr. Assamoa performed with Les Guirivoires of Rose Marie Guiraud touring the Ivory Coast and Europe.

Mr. Assamoa has a special dedication and love for children and in helping people of all ages connect with and express their inherent creativity and joy.  He has a genuine love for all peoples and has a unique ability to see each person’s innate beauty and spirit.  He has helped countless students through his fun and powerfully healing dance and drum classes enabling each person to bring forth the unique music of their own essence thereby bringing body, mind and spirit together into beautiful synchronicity and wholeness.

Akwaba group’s performances consist of traditional African dances, supported with songs.

This is also a combination of ritual and creation. The dancers and musicians dressed in traditional costumes.

The instruments used are the drumming instruments and other traditional African instruments.

Akwaba brings together young dancers and musicians from any background and origin who have that passion of promoting African Arts.

Akwaba Cultural Exchange, through its program entitled "Alliance for Cultural Expression" is intended to educate, train and bring together young people, artists and non-artists from different culture, to use a unique Art language, to express their self-esteem.

Akwaba Cultural Exchange as a global art expression, has participated at many cultural events in Africa , in

Europe and in north America.

We have selected few of our great moments that we want to share with you.