Labone SHS thrills guests at 20th Yosakoi festival

The Japanese Ambassador speaking at the festival

The Labone Senior High School (SHS) emerged winners of this year’s 20th Japan-Ghana Yosakoi festival held in Accra on Saturday.

The school displayed great flair, confidence and a better understanding of the Japanese culture with their Yosakoi dance and other activities to beat other schools including St. Peter’s SHS, St. Roses SHS and St. Dominic’s SHS to the top prize.

Yosakoi is one of the old­est Japanese dance festivals which had lasted for over 60 years and gained recog­nition in other parts of the world including Ghana.

With the relationship between Ghana and Japan, the festival, spearheaded by the Japan Embassy in Ghana, is held every year as part of efforts to promote cultures between the two countries.

This year’s event was graced by the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Mochizuki Hisanobu and renowned Ghanaian high­life songstress, Akosua Agyepong.

Japanese Reggae sensa­tion, CJ Joe also thrilled the crowd to some scin­tillating Japanese Reggae songs while students also took turns to showcase their skills.

The Ghana Jiu Jiutsu Federation also performed at the festival alongside the Ghana Karate Federation.

Speaking to The Spectator after the event, the Japa­nese Ambassador Mochizuki Hisanobu praised the con­testants for their efforts, adding that the festival was gradually gaining grounds in the country.

He urged all to continue promoting culture because it has the potential to foster unity and progression.

 By Michael D. Abayateye