Ghana and Japan strengthen ties with Yosakoi dance

Accra, Nov. 12, GNA - About 22 cultural troupes gathered at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra on Saturday to display real Ghanaian and Japanese culture with the Japanese Yosakoi dance blending well with Ghanaian drum beats.

The cultural display was part of the celebration of Japanese cultural week where various cultural troupes demonstrated their uniqueness with the Japanese Yosakoi, a free style street dance. The dance introduced in Ghana about six years ago by Mrs Kazuko Asai, immediate past Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, was aimed at deepening friendship between Ghana and Japan as well as creating unity in the society.

It is a traditional folk dance performed in Japan during the summer and uses a special Japanese musical instrument called castanets, or Naruko.

This year introduced a special feature in the dance by adding drums as another instrument in the Yasakoi dance in addition to Ghanaian traditional songs and hip life tunes.

Another feature in this year's Yosakoi festival was a performance by Batman Samini, a Ghanaian musician who joined in the special group performance at Achimota School.

In the school group performances, Weija Barracks 91B' Primary was adjudged the best and received two million cedis, two cartons of Geisha Mackerel and a certificate of participation as their prize. Achimota Secondary School placed second and received one million cedis, one carton of Geisha Mackerel and a certificate of participation. Odja Dance Ensemble from Teshie was adjudged the best in the professional groups performances thrilling the audience with the unique style and display of dance tactics.

They received three million cedis, three cartons of Geisha Mackerel and a certificate of participation.

Okotobrigya cultural troupe placed second and had two million cedis, two cartons of Geisha Mackerel and a certificate while Kekeli Dance group placed third and received one million cedis, a carton of Geisha Mackerel and a certificate.

Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations commending the dancers for their exciting performances pledged the Ministry's support for the programme. He urged the organizers to encourage more people to participate in Yosakoi dance and was optimistic that next year's Yosakoi festival would be more popular to enable Ghanaians identify themselves with it. 12 Nov. 06