Entertainment
Dance legends honoured at maiden Ghana Dance Industry Awards
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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.
An International Relations student at Cumbria University, Rumzia Sule, has been officially crowned Miss Ghana 2026, emerging victorious over 12 other contestants to claim the coveted national title.
The grand finale of the 69th edition, held under the theme “Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy,” saw the University of Ghana graduate Fatimatu Zara Ishacu finish as the first runner-up and Whitney Opoku Nketia adjudged the second runner-up.
Other awards, such as Miss Fitness, Miss Talent, Miss Eloquent, Most Beautiful Skin, Miss Congeniality, Most Disciplined, and Miss Photogenic, went to Nedlyn Appiah, Lucille Akua Oputa-Otutu, Davinia Owusu Kuffuor, Lawrencia Serwaa Amankwa, Fatimatu Zara Ishacu, Anita Appiah, and Whitney Opoku Nketia, in that order.
Rumzia also won the Beauty with Purpose award.
Unlike previous editions, this year’s pageant adopted a strategic, scaled-down format. Shifting away from traditional pomp and pageantry, to a more personal and community skills development theme.
The final selection was held at the Oak Plaza Hotel in Accra before an elite panel of judges, relatives of contestants amongst others present to witness the historic occasion.
According to the organisers, Exclusive Events Ghana and the Miss Ghana Foundation, the format change was a deliberate choice, as part of preparations towards the upcoming milestone for the brand both nationally and internationally, that is, next year’s landmark 70th, in Ghana and this year’s 75th anniversaries, internationally.
Despite the cozy setting of the coronation, the finalists underwent the full, rigorous pageant journey following nationwide auditions on June 27, 2026.
The young women participated in intensive, weeks-long mentorship, leadership, and entrepreneurship programme designed to test their resilience, empathy, discipline, and professionalism.
Furthermore, the contestants demonstrated their commitment to national development by rolling up their sleeves for the National Clean-Up Exercise, supporting President John Dramani Mahama’s call to restore cleanliness across Ghana by desilting choked gutters in parts of Accra.
The Foundation emphasised that these outreach programmes were vital evaluation tools used to identify a queen who genuinely embodies compassion and a willingness to serve society beyond the glamour of the stage.
Rumzia’s exceptional public speaking and commanding vision ultimately separated her from the field.
As the new Miss Ghana 2026, Rumzia will now begin preparations to represent the nation on the international stage at the upcoming Miss World pageant in Vietnam.
Born on August 14, 1980 in Cape Coast, where centuries-old castles still whisper of slavery, resistance and survival, musician Lexikon says his life has been shaped by the weight of history and the hope of renewal.
Growing up among the relics of the transatlantic slave trade, the artist developed an early hunger for truth, justice and identity.
That search took him from the halls of Mfantsipim School to the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK, where he fused academic training with a growing passion for artistry.
But it is on stage, through reggae and dancehall, that Lexikon’s voice finds its fullest expression.
According to him, “Music is not just entertainment. It is a call to the youth, a challenge to corrupt power, and a hymn of hope.”
Over the years, Lexikon has built a catalogue of 15 albums. Through his Baanfire Revolution, he champions Pan-Africanism, self-reliance and empowerment. With his Christ-For-I Mission, he uses the same platform to redirect hearts to faith and purpose.
Industry watchers describe his work as more than sound, a movement, a sermon, and in his words, “a revolution wrapped in melody.”
Now based in Accra, the father, artist and advocate says he remains committed to speaking for Africa’s young people.
For Lexikon, music is the tool: a reminder that even in struggle, there is room for renewal, and that, as he puts it, “music can be the whip of change.”
As Ghana’s creative scene continues to evolve, Lexikon stands as one of the voices merging culture, spirituality and social commentary rooted in Cape Coast history, but speaking directly to a new generation across the continent.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
