Last Saturday, the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra went aglow with celebration as many Ghanaians from different walks of life joined their Japanese friends and counterparts to mark this year’s Yosakoi festival. According to the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency, Mr. Keiichi Katakami, “...Yosakoi festival is a time to share love and friendship. It is a festival that features the rich culture of Japan, which includes traditional Japanese drumming, songs, dances and food exhibition. Celebrating Yosakoi in Ghana is another way of consolidating the cordiality that exists between Ghanaians and Japanese because many Ghanaians have learnt some of the traditional Japanese dances and are able to perform them with great flair. Yosakoi in Ghana is also a fusion of Japanese tradition with some Ghanaian cultural heritage.’ Mr. Katakami expressed optimism that; ‘...with time, Yosakoi festival will become one of the most exciting and highly popular festivals in Ghana.’ Students, members of sporting associations and keep-fit clubs, business, academic and political leaders and journalists, attended this year’s Yosakoi festival. Various teams brilliantly exhibited dance performances. Aside the exciting display of brilliant Japanese dance-steps, there was a fusion of Ghanaian and Japanese music playing intermittent as the event progressed while there was an exhibition of Japanese and Ghanaian dishes, artefacts and consumable products from Japanese companies. As part of the side attraction for the event, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, organised a special quiz competition at the JICA promotion & Exhibition booth. Many people participated in the quiz competition, which sought to educate Ghanaians about the activities of JICA in Ghana. Participants won branded prizes such as mugs, T-Shirts and key holders. Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu of the University of Ghana and master of ceremony for the occasion noted that both Ghana and Japan have developed an inseparable unity of value and culture, and events like Yosakoi festival helps strengthen the existing strong tie. Next year, Yosakoi festival will mark its 10th anniversary.