It was a top-of-the-world dance experience at the Aviation Social Centre on Saturday,  January 30, 2021, when the dance legends, Adjetey Sowah, Akosua Agyapong, Reggie Rockstone, Terry Bright Ofosu, among 20 other dance personalities and other institutions were honoured at the maiden edition of the Ghana Dance Industry Awards (GHADI Awards).

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dancetera, Robert Klah, “the purpose of the awards is to honour the dance icons and stakeholders who have contributed to the development of dance over the years.”

He said, that subsequent editions of the award scheme, “in addition to honouring other dance icons and industry stakeholders, will feature competitive categories to ensure the recognition of the best dance artistes and celebration of excellence every year.”

Honourees were picked from the various sectors of the dance industry, celebrating them for works done, and expressing appreciation to  Dancers & DanceSport Association of Ghana (DDASPAG), Rhythms Africa, Multimix Mediafor supporting the maiden edition.

These persons were awarded for their contributions to the following: James Parker of Apex Ballroom Dance for over 14 years of ballroom dance development and the inclusion of highlife dance; Lumo Bortei-Doku for dedicating two decades of his life to Afro-Latin dance in Ghana and operating Dancation International sessions; Ricci Boateng for operating  Salsa in the Garden City, Kumasi and recently, Kizalsa in Accra, spanning 12 years of impact, as well as the salsa duo performers Luumva Laryea & Beatrice Danquah for representing Ghana at several international festivals.

Heroz Dance Crew, 4Bent Dance Crew, High Spirit Dance Crew, and Kyses (all-female) Studios, were also honoured in the street for projecting street dance culture over the last decade.

The praise dance category had Worship in Motion and Divinity Blazers recognised for promoting urban gospel dance and inspiring many talents to dance in the church.

Furthermore, the National Dance Company, Ghana Dance Ensemble, and the Dance Department of the School of Performing Arts (UG-Legon), were duly acknowledged for their roles in theatre dance.

Malta Guinness was also recognised for their investments in street dance development; Shekoross for over a decade of organising free annual street dance shows; Hon. Dzifa Gomashie for supporting dance over the years at the highest office ever.

For those whose works promoted Ghana dance beyond borders, Fuse ODG was acknowledged for his global promotion of Azonto Dance,Incredible Zigi for creating dance steps such as ‘Pilolo’ & ‘Kupe’ which were performed by global stars, Ezuntey Flex for promoting Azonto Dance through his ‘I am Azonto’ dance project, DWP Academy for rising to become the most influential dance academy in Ghana with branches in the USA and Asia.

To acknowledge the importance of DanceSport, medals were presented to winners of the various dance competitions held; Battle in the Ring Competition from season one to four.

The night came alive with numerous performances from the best talents Ghana has to offer. The programme was graced by Mark Okraku Mantey, President of the Creative Arts Council, Nana Fredua-Agyeman Ofori-Atta, acting Board Chair of the National Theatre,  Nii Tete Yartey, former Artistic Director of the National Dance Company and son of the legendary Professor F. Nii Yartey of blessed memory, Head of Dance Department of the School of Performing Arts, Mr. S. Kuwor, Vivian of Vivie’s Dance Factory, Petra Peterson of Salsa Ghana, and other industry stakeholders from the various dance communities as well as the media.