By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, April 30, GNA – Twellium Industrial Company, producers of Verna Mineral Water, in collaboration with the National Theater, has commemorated the 2025 World Dance Day with patients of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, using dance as a tool to promote mental well-being and social cohesion.
The patients were treated to performances of traditional dances including Adowa, Agbadza, Kete, and Borborbor by the National Dance Company, a subsidiary of the National Theatre.
Miss Joyce Oparebea Bekoe, Communications Director of the National Theatre, said the celebration provided a unique opportunity to foster rehabilitation and unity among the patients through art.
She said using dance as a tool to improve mental health and well-being was an important initiative to ensure inclusivity and fast-track the healing process.
Mr Henry Malm, the Executive Director of the National Theatre, said the gesture was inspired by the desire to bring joy and healing to the patients, adding that: “Dance goes beyond entertainment and must be seen as a powerful therapeutic tool that highlights our shared humanity.”
“We believe this international celebration should be inclusive. Our goal is not just to entertain, but to contribute to the healing process. Using dance as therapy is a commendable initiative,” he stated.
Dr Kwadwo Marfo Obeng, Director, Accra Psychiatric Hospital, lauded the initiative, noting that exposing individuals with depression to music and dance could yield remarkable improvements in their emotional and physical wellbeing.
“Music and dance are inherently social activities. Engaging in them fosters connection and helps patients feel a sense of belonging, which is vital for mental health recovery,” he said.
Dr Obeng added that dance also contributed to the physical health of patients, especially those who had experienced weight gain during treatment, by enhancing movement quality and energy levels.
“We need accessible and enjoyable forms of exercise for patients. Some individuals who were initially stiff during the session eventually loosened up. We hope such programmes become a regular feature,” he noted.
The World Dance Day, also known as International Dance Day, is celebrated globally on April 29 each year.
It is promoted by the International Dance Council (CID) and the International Theatre Institute to raise awareness about dance as a form of art, cultural expression, and an educational tool.
The day encourages governments and educational institutions to integrate dance into formal education from the basic to tertiary levels.
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