Entertainment
AfroStepz Dance Academy clinches wins Praise Dance Battle 2024
The Praise Dance Concert of the 10th Ghana Dance Festival came off last Saturday, featuring the best of Praise Dance Ministers in a holy dance battle for the number 1 spot.
The event which was held at PIWC Atomic, in partnership with the PIWC’s Ministry to Celebrities, saw AfroStepz Dance Academy emerge winners, ahead of Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, CDS, Shepherds, KTwins Gh, and Pawers Nation.
The three-round competition had audience spellbound from start to finish, with dance ministers giving off their best in each round.
For round one, dance ministers performed to their own mix, laced with a Scott Evans song, where the following groups made it top 5- AfroStepz Dance Academy, Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, Shepherds, and CDS.
In round two, dance ministers took on the creative task of using Dance Drama to couch various messages including values from Samson and Delilah; The Prodigal Son; Elijah and the prophets of Baal; Unity and Love over division by parties ahead of coming elections; amongst others.
After the second round, Flames Dance Company were declared winners of the 3rd position with 1000cedis as their prize. AfroStepz and Dance 360 moved on to the final round, where they had to battle for the 1st and 2nd position.
The battle had a face-off format, and featured two of their best dancers in a round of Afropop and hiphop songs, per DJ’s choice.
This round was declared a tie by the competition’s esteemed judges – Illyboy (Leader of Arenees Dance Crew), Erica Appa (Leader of Heroz Dance Crew, and House Ghana), The GreatNet (Leader of Let’s Dance Africa), Abena Lar (Dancer-Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Psychology) and Scott Evans (Urban Gospel Artiste).
To break the tie, the judges called for another face off. In the end, MC of the event, Psalm One, announced AfroStepz as 1st place winners, with 4000 cedis prize money, and Dance 360 as 2nd place winners, with 2000 cedis prize money.
According to CEO of the Ghana Dance Festival, Robert Klah, “dance means different things to different people and the are happy to use their platform to allow for the different expressions in gospel fraternity.
He said, ” This year, we decided to bring the praise dance back to the church, and to offer more people the opportunity to use their dance as a tool of worship and service to God.”
He said “We grateful for the partnership with PIWC Atomic, facilitated by Pastor Michael Laryea and approved by Apostle Athony Mensah. While we are happy with the event, we look forward to a bigger experience next year.”
The event also saw a discussion on how the dancers and the urban gospel singers can work together.
In the panel discussion moderated by Robert Klah, several issues on promotion were discussed. Urban gospel artistes Scott Evans, Kobby Salm, and Kingz Kid represented the interest of the urban gospel musicians.
Kingz Kid highlighted the role of dancers in the promotion of gospel songs using this experience as a reference point.
On his part, Kobby Salm charged the dancers to play their role in the ecosystem by working with musicians to build the industry.
Additionally, Scott Evans reached out to dancers for more collaboration in for collective growth.
Jay Smoke, who was the event DJ used the opportunity to highlight REPJESUS.com platform as a main source of urban gospel library accessible to anyone interested in Ghanaian urban gospel songs.
The session closed with an appreciation of dancers and musicians with a clear understanding to working together, to achieve kingdom objectives.
Also ministering at the event were Let’s Dance Africa, Tema Dance Academy, Incredible Afro, City of Twins, The Talent Tribe, KCC, Yung Commissioner, and JoVarni.
Royal Vessel Incorporated charged the atmosphere with praise and worship at the beginning of the programme.
The programme was made possible with the support of Ps Michael Laryea, and coordinating team Nana Akoto Agyapong, Enoch Agyepong and Dompe, all of PIWC Atomic.
The Praise Dance Concert of the 10th Ghana Dance Festival was in collaboration with DanceSport Ghana, Dancers & DanceSport Association of Ghana (DDASPAG), Ministry to Celebrities of PIWC, and powered by Dancetera.
The National Theatre is set to host Fundworld, a dynamic entertainment and educational program, on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 1:00 pm.
The event celebrates World Radio Day and International Day of Friendship, themes that resonate with international celebrations.
The event aims to unearth many talents in young people, aligning with the theatre’s mandate to nurture children’s talents and prepare them for future opportunities.
Funworld is one of the National Theatre’s flagship programmes for basic schools, enabling pupils to create their own performances and present them on stage.
It’s a platform for schools to showcase their talents. Past editions have thrilled a lot of children with edutainment including poetry recital, dance choreography, rap music, drama performances, and this February edition promises to be more exciting and dramatic.
The Funworld programme takes place on every 3rd Sunday of February, March, May, June, and October.
The National Theatre invites schools, parents, and educators to participate in Funworld, a vibrant celebration of Ghanaian culture and creativity.
The event takes place at the National Theatre Main Auditorium, and tickets are priced at GHc 10.00.
The National Theatre also has a flurry of programmes in its first quarter, including ‘Wednesday Theatre’ on the last Wednesday of every month and ‘Thursday Movie’ on the last Thursday of every month.
Gospel minister Mavis Payne has released a spirit-filled worship song of thanksgiving to God dubbed ADEAKYE.
With ADEAKYE, Mavis Payne tells her story of how merciful the Lord has been and encourages people to give thanks to God even for the little blessings.
Recorded live at Eden Experience 2025 and released on Friday, February 6, 2026, the song tells a story of her early discovery, consistent growth, and unshaken devotion.
She further describes the song as the sound of a woman who has walked with her gift, nurtured it, and ultimately offered it back to God.
According to Mavis Payne, music has never been a hobby but rather a calling, patiently unfolding since childhood.
ADEAKYE, the first track on the live recording, is currently streaming on YouTube Mavis Payne Ministries. It is the latest expression of a journey that began long before studios, stages, or spotlights, she intimated.
Growing up, Mavis Payne discovered her gift at a remarkably young age. She recalls being promoted to Class Two after nursery when a simple lunchtime moment changed everything.
As she sang casually, she said her class teacher stopped to listen. Impressed, the teacher led her before other classes and asked her to sing again this time, for an audience. That moment of affirmation lit a fire that has never gone out.
With that early encouragement, music became inseparable from her identity.
However, she expressed gratitude to family and friends who rallied around her talent, offering support that helped shape both her confidence and discipline.
Over the years, Mavis Payne sharpened her craft by backing several artistes and performing on notable platforms, including TV3’s Mentor, one of Ghana’s most influential music talent shows.
According to her, she has also worked with respected musicians such as Ackah Blay, experiences that broadened her musical range and professionalism.
Yet, despite these opportunities in the wider music industry, her focus has remained unwavering.
“My heart has always been to minister for God,” she says.
That focus has guided her path from Sunday school to the present day, shaping not just what she sings, but why she sings.
“ADEAKYE” emerges from this deep-rooted sense of purpose. The song is not merely a release; it is a continuation of a lifelong ministry one anchored in faith, gratitude, and obedience to God’s call.
ADEAKYE is a worship programme Mavis Payne herself is nurturing an intentional space for encounter, intimacy, and authentic praise. The live recording preserves the rawness of the moment: the unfiltered worship, the communal spirit, and the sacred atmosphere that cannot be replicated in a studio.
She noted that it is her declaration of hope, renewal, and God’s faithfulness in every situation, emphasising once you witness a new day, rest assured at hope is not lost.
“I thank God for my life and the gift of ministering through singing to win souls for Christ. And to everyone supporting my ministry, may God make His face shine upon you favourably,” she remarked.
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