Entertainment
Dance legends honoured at maiden Ghana Dance Industry Awards
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.
Organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards 27 have announced “A Touch of Glitter as the official red carpet theme for this year’s ceremony.’’
In a statement issued on Thursday, April 16, Charterhouse indicated that the theme is designed to promote elegance and creativity while maintaining a refined fashion standard.
According to the organisers, the red carpet remains one of the most anticipated moments of the awards, offering artistes, celebrities, and guests the opportunity to express themselves through fashion while celebrating Ghanaian identity.
They explained that for this year’s edition, attendees are encouraged to include subtle elements of shimmer in their outfits.
This, they noted, can be done through fabric choices, embellishments, or accessories, with the focus on elegance rather than excess.
The statement added that the red carpet event will take place on May 9, 2026, at 7:06 pm, ahead of the main awards ceremony.
Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse, Robert Klah, noted that the theme invites guests to explore creativity with sophistication while maintaining a polished appearance.
The organisers further assured that the event will continue to deliver a blend of music, fashion, and culture, making it a key highlight on Ghana’s entertainment calendar.
By Jacob Aggrey
The fourth edition of the fast-rising fashion and cultural event, the Slit and Kaba Festival, is set to take place on May 1 at the Legon City Mall in Accra.
Organised by Roots Africa, the festival aims to promote Ghanaian culture through the traditional Kaba and Slit outfit, known for its vibrant African prints and unique designs.
Speaking to The Spectator Agoro ahead of this year’s edition, dubbed “Old School Kaba and Slit Meets Batakari,” the Founder of Roots Africa, Mrs. Deborah Kabutey-Djisah, popularly known as Manye Korngo, said the event has gained significant popularity over the years and promised an even bigger experience this time around.
“The intention is to revive old-school fashion while celebrating our revered Fugu, also known as Batakari, which has gained massive exposure in recent times,” she stated.
“It is also an opportunity to showcase our culture and demonstrate to young people how fashion has evolved over the years,” she added.
She further called on vendors to come on board to display their products and services, noting that thousands of patrons are expected to attend the event.
“Don’t miss the chance to have your brand featured on our flyers, make incredible sales, and be part of an unforgettable experience,” she urged.
According to her, the previous edition was a great success, attracting patrons from across the country. Due to the growing interest, a larger venue had to be secured to accommodate the anticipated crowd.
“I’m expecting ten times more people than we had at last year’s festival,” she added.
