Dancer Lisa Naa Quama Darko, affectionately known as Lisa Quama, has shared her motivations for pursuing a career in dance, despite her parents’ financial stability. In an interview on Joy Prime’s Changes show, she revealed her desire for independence and personal ambition, stating she didn’t want to rely solely on her parents for support.
“My parents worked hard for their money, so I didn’t want to be that spoiled child,” Lisa explained to host Roselyn Felli. “I really loved to dance and didn’t want to be punished for my passion.”
Initially, Lisa wasn’t driven by financial gain, especially since dance was undervalued at the time. She happily joined her peers to perform at events, even without payment. Her dedication to dance didn’t overshadow her academic achievements; in fact, she worked diligently in school to ensure her parents were proud. “I was more of a hustler. Forget my parents; I mean, we’re okay. I didn’t want to burden them with my dancing aspirations because I was excelling academically. They understood that I was getting good grades, so they allowed me to pursue my passion,” she shared.
To fund her dance lessons during vacation, Lisa saved her school ‘chop money,’ allowing her to hone her skills. She was also determined to purchase a car for her mother once her dancing began to generate income. To prove her commitment, she made sacrifices, often wearing the same clothes repeatedly, ultimately demonstrating her worth to her parents, despite her mother already owning a car.
“I didn’t think about myself and saved diligently. I jokingly mentioned that I would use my earnings to buy a car for my mom. Whenever I received money, I would split it into three parts: one for tithes, one for savings, and one for the car,” she recounted.
Today, Lisa Quama drives her mother’s car, which is registered in her mom’s name, and has become one of Ghana’s most recognized female dancers, gaining acclaim beyond the borders of her home country. Her journey exemplifies determination, passion, and the drive to carve her own path in the world of dance.
