This year's Yosakoi Festival of Unity and Dance was held at the Efua Sutherland Children's Park, with 19 groups comprising four school groups and 15 professional dance groups.
The Japanese-style cultural display came at the end of this year’s Japan Week celebrations, which took place in Ghana from November 4 to 10, and was an opportunity for dance groups from around the country to come together to perform and compete.
A main feature in this year’s festival was the presence of Batman and his performance of his song that was used for the anthem in the Super Yosakoi festival that was held in Japan in August, of which the Achimota School was part.
In the school group performances, Wajjir Barracks 'B’ Primary school was judged the best and received a ¢2 million, as well as two cartons of mackerel and a certificate of participation.
The Odja Dance Ensemble from Teshie was judged the best in the professional groups’ category and took home ¢3 million and three cartons of Geisha as well as a certificate. Second was the Okotobrigya Cultural Troupe, and the Kekeli Dance Group was third.
Speaking at the festival, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, commended the dancers for their exciting performances and pledged the ministry’s support for this festival in Ghana.
He urged the organisers and sponsors to encourage more people to embrace this concept of Unity through Dance and Music and was optimistic that next year’s Yosakoi Festival would be even more popular.
The only compulsory part of their performances was the use of a special instrument from Japan called the Naruko or Castanets in the performance, for which marks were awarded.
The 19th group comprised of Disabled people, volunteers from Japan and some students from the Achimota School who participated on a non-scoring basis.
Honda place, Auto Parts, and Japan Motors brightened the scene with a display of their cars from the latest range they have for sale. This was inspected by the Minister during his visit to the Park that day.
