AfroStepz Dance Academy clinches first place in Praise Dance Battle 2024

The Praise Dance Concert of the 10th Ghana Dance Festival came off last Saturday to the glory of God, featuring the best of Praise Dance Ministers in a holy dance battle for the number 1 spot.

The event which was held at PIWC Atomic, in partnership with the PIWC’s Ministry to Celebrities, saw AfroStepz Dance Academy emerge winners, ahead of Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, CDS, Shepherds, KTwins Gh, and Pawers Nation. 

The three-round competition had audience spellbound from start to finish, with dance ministers giving off their best in each round.

For round one, dance ministers performed to their own mix, laced with a Scott Evans song, where the following groups made it top 5- AfroStepz Dance Academy, Dance 360, Flames Dance Company, Shepherds, and CDS. For round two, dance ministers took on the creative task of using Dance Drama to couch various messages including values from Samson and Delilah; The Prodigal Son; Elijah and the prophets of Baal; Unity and Love over division by parties ahead of coming elections; amongst others. After the second round, Flames Dance Company were declared winners of the 3rd position with 1000cedis as their prize.

AfroStepz and Dance 360 moved on to the final round, where they had to battle for the 1st and 2nd position.

The battle had a face-off format, and featured 2 of their best dancers in a round of Afropop and hiphop songs, per DJ’s choice. This round was declared a tie by the competition's esteemed judges – Illyboy (Leader of Arenees Dance Crew), Erica Appa (Leader of Heroz Dance Crew, and House Ghana), The GreatNet (Leader of Let’s Dance Africa), Abena Lar (Dancer-Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Psychology) and Scott Evans (Urban Gospel Artiste). To break the tie, the judges called for another face off. In the end, MC of the event, Psalm One, announced AfroStepz as 1st place winners, with 4000 cedis prize money, and Dance 360 as 2nd place winners, with 2000 cedis prize money.

According to CEO of the Ghana Dance Festival, Robert Klah, “dance means different things to different people and we are happy to use our platform to allow for the different expressions in gospel fraternity – praises and dance ministrations. This year, we decided to bring the praise dance back to the church, and to offer more people the opportunity to use their dance as a tool of worship and service to God. We grateful for the partnership with PIWC Atomic, facilitated by Pastor Michael Laryea and approved by Apostle Athony Mensah. While we are happy with the event, we look forward to a bigger experience next year.”

The event also saw a discussion on how the dancers and the urban gospel singers can work together. In the panel discussion moderated by Robert Klah, several issues on promotion were discussed.

Urban gospel artistes Scott Evans, Kobby Salm, and Kingz Kid represented the interest of the urban gospel musicians. Kingz Kid highlighted the role of dancers in the promotion of gospel songs using this experience as a reference point. Kobby Salm in a essence charged the dancers to play their role in the ecosystem by working with musicians to build the industry.

Scott Evans reached out to dancers for more collaboration in for collective growth. Jay Smoke, who was the event DJ used the opportunity to highlight REPJESUS.com platform as a main source of urban gospel library accessible to anyone interested in Ghanaian urban gospel songs. The session closed with an appreciation of dancers and musicians with a clear understanding to working together, to achieve kingdom objectives.

Also ministering at the event were Let’s Dance Africa, Tema Dance Academy, Incredible Afro, City of Twins, The Talent Tribe, KCC, Yung Commissioner, and JoVarni. Royal Vessel Incorporated charged the atmosphere with praise and worship at the beginning of the program. Introductory remarks were given by Pastor John Ofori Ofei Badu, exhortation by P/Ovr Emmanuel Awuah Kesse, with P/Ovr Nicholas Osei in full attendance. The program was made possible with the support of Ps Michael Laryea, and coordinating team Nana Akoto Agyapong, Enoch Agyepong and Dompe, all of PIWC Atomic. 

The Praise Dance Concert of the 10th Ghana Dance Festival was brought to you in collaboration with DanceSport Ghana, Dancers & DanceSport Association of Ghana (DDASPAG), Ministry to Celebrities of PIWC, and powered by Dancetera.