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.
Accra is set this weekend as Porials Pitch 2026 makes its highly anticipated return—an event that has rapidly evolved from a social media-driven concept into one of the country most influential retail gatherings.
Set for Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Accra Mall (Ghud Park), the festival will open its doors at 8:00 AM, drawing a mix of bargain hunters, young entrepreneurs, and lifestyle enthusiasts eager to experience what has become a defining moment on Accra’s commercial calendar.
Dulcie Boateng—entrepreneur, influencer, and CEO of Dulcie Porium—whose ability to mobilize audiences both online and offline continues to reshape the local retail landscape. Often dubbed Ghana’s “Snapchat Queen,” Boateng has leveraged her digital influence into tangible economic impact, with Porials Pitch standing as a prime example.
More Than a Market
While at first glance the event may appear to be a conventional pop-up market, Porials Pitch has steadily carved out a niche as a hybrid of commerce, culture, and community engagement. This year’s edition will feature 100 vendors, offering a curated blend of vintage pieces, emerging fashion brands, beauty products, and mainstream goods—many at discounted prices reaching up to 50 percent.
The Business Behind the Buzz
Perhaps the most telling indicator of the event’s momentum lies behind the scenes. Vendor slots for the 2026 edition reportedly sold out in just two minutes, generating approximately GH¢600,000—a figure that speaks not only to demand but also to the growing confidence in influencer-led commerce within Ghana.
A Reflection of a Changing Retail Culture
As Ghana’s urban consumer culture continues to evolve, events like Porials Pitch 2026 highlight a broader shift toward experience-driven retail—where shopping is no longer just transactional but social and immersive.
With free entry and an open invitation to the public, this weekend’s gathering is expected to draw significant crowds, reinforcing Accra’s reputation as a hub for innovation in commerce and youth-driven enterprise.
Whether viewed as a marketplace, a cultural event, or a case study in modern entrepreneurship, Porials Pitch 2026 is poised to once again capture the city’s attention—and its spending power.
Guinness Ghana has announced a new annual prize package for winners of the Album/EP of the Year category at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), as part of efforts to support the country’s music industry.
The company said beginning from the 27th edition of the awards, the winner of the category will receive a GH¢100,000 cash prize, funding support for a music video for their next project, and a curated album listening experience.
According to Guinness Ghana, the initiative is aimed at promoting creative excellence and contributing to the growth of Ghana’s music ecosystem.
Head of Media and Partnerships at Guinness Ghana, Yaa Amoah-Owusu, said the category represents the highest level of artistic work in the industry.
“The Album/EP of the Year category represents the pinnacle of artistic expression — body of work, storytelling, and sonic identity. This package is Guinness Ghana’s way of recognising excellence and investing in the future of the artist and the industry at large,” she stated.
She added that the company’s support goes beyond recognition on awards night, as it seeks to create long-term value for artistes and the wider creative sector.
Guinness Ghana, a long-time partner of the awards scheme, noted that the initiative will also help increase visibility and audience engagement for the winning artiste’s future projects.
The nominees for the Album/EP of the Year category include Black Sherif for Iron Boy, Stonebwoy for Torcher, Gyakie for After Midnight, Medikal for Disturbation II, Wendy Shay for Ready, and Kweku Smoke for Walk With Me.
Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse, Robert Klah, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely support for the music industry.
“This is an important intervention from Guinness Ghana. It aligns with our commitment to celebrate and elevate Ghanaian music, while also creating tangible support for artistes,” he said.
He added that the move highlights the importance of albums and EPs as lasting creative works.
The announcement comes ahead of the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards, organised by Charterhouse, with Telecel as headline sponsor, media partnership from TV3, and support from Guinness Ghana.
Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC is one of the country’s leading beverage companies and continues to support arts, culture, and community development in Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
