{
  "id": 14235513,
  "title": "Ghana’s Vivie’s Dance and Theatre Academy wins six awards as all five dancers qualify for World Championship finals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/ghanas-vivies-dance-and-theatre-academy-wins-six-awards-as-all-five",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T15:49:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/ghanas-vivies-dance-and-theatre-academy-wins-six-awards-as-all-five-dancers-qualify-for-world-championship-finals/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Vivie’s Dance and Theatre Academy (VDTA), based in Ghana, celebrated a remarkable international success at the Dance Star qualifiers held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The academy was awarded six accolades, with all five of its dancers qualifying for the upcoming World Dance Championship finals in Croatia. The team's accomplishments span contemporary dance, lyrical dance, and acrobatics, highlighting the versatility of the performers and the academy’s dedication to preparing dancers for global opportunities.\n\nNotable achievements included:\n\n1. Second place in the Senior Contemporary Duo category, claimed by Rita Abankwah and Anna Bashiru.\n2. Third place in the Senior Contemporary Quartet, marking a strong showing by Rita Abankwah, Hillary Oppong, Anna Bashiru, and Michelle Kassis.\n3. Michelle Kassis emerged victorious in the Children’s Lyrical Dance competition, competing against over 20 dancers.\n4. Daniel Appah, the academy’s dancer and teacher, won the Senior Contemporary Solo Dance category and received the competition’s Personality Award, securing two honors at the event.\n5. Rita Abankwah claimed second place in the Senior Acrobatics Dance category.\n\nLed by Omoyemi Davies, the academy’s Head of Academy and Choreographer, the performances were captivating displays of creativity and artistry. Appah, reflecting on the team’s success, emphasized the necessity of dedication and hard work: “When you dream, dream BIG but make sure it doesn’t end as just a dream. Fight till you see that dream become a reality.”\n\nVivian Boateng, the Founder and CEO of VDTA, underscored the significance of this achievement for Ghana’s creative industry and its young talent. Boateng expressed her hope that the experience would inspire aspiring artists in Ghana to continue honing their craft and pursue their passions on the global stage. She stressed that the academy’s success is about more than winning awards; it is about expanding opportunities for young people and showcasing the potential of Ghana’s creative industry on an international scale.\n\nThe qualification of all five dancers for the upcoming World Dance Championship finals in Croatia marks a new chapter for VDTA. As the team prepares for this next challenge, the academy reaffirms its commitment to nurturing raw talent, developing well-rounded performers, and equipping young people with essential skills beyond the studio. The experiences from international competitions will further strengthen their performances, fostering confidence, resilience, and the ability to excel under pressure.\n\nLooking ahead, the academy’s broader ambition is rooted in creating opportunities for Ghanaian artists to develop their gifts and access global platforms. The journey continues with gratitude and determination, as VDTA takes Ghanaian talent to the world.",
  "summary": "The Ghanaian academy celebrates international success at the Dance Star qualifiers in Johannesburg, with dancer and teacher Daniel Appah earning a double honour. Vivie’s Dance and Theatre Academy (VDTA) has secured six awards at the Dance Star qualifiers in Johannesburg, South Africa, with all five dancers representing the Ghanaian academy qualifying for the World Dance […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "UMB MD wins ‘CEO of the Year’, banking category at 2026 Ghana Credit Excellence Awards",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/umb-md-wins-ceo-of-the-year-banking-category-at-2026-ghana-credit",
        "published": "2026-10-13T15:41:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}