Sights and Sounds
Azonto: The Ghanaian Street Dance That Sparked a Global Movement
Long before playlists were filled with Afrobeats and dance floors pulsed to Amapiano, a different rhythm captured global attention. It didn’t start in luxury studios or international charts. It started on the streets of Ghana.
Azonto wasn’t just a song. It was a movement.
In the early 2010s, young people in southern Ghana—particularly within Ga communities around Accra—began transforming a traditional dance known as panlogo into something new. Panlogo already carried a strong identity: expressive hand gestures, rhythmic footwork, and movements that told everyday stories.
But a new generation reimagined it.
They sped it up, added humour, and turned everyday activities into dance gestures—mimicking phone calls, driving, washing clothes, or even acting out jokes. The result was Azonto: playful, expressive, and instantly addictive.
Soon the streets became stages.
Ghanaian musicians quickly caught onto the energy. Artists like Sarkodie, E.L, Gasmilla, and Stay Jay began weaving the dance into their music and performances. Tracks built around the dance flooded local airwaves, parties, and clubs.
Azonto was no longer just something you watched. It was something you joined.
Social media and early YouTube dance clips helped push the movement further. Tutorials popped up everywhere, showing fans how to master the signature gestures and rhythmic footwork.
Then the wave crossed borders.
UK-based Ghanaian artist Fuse ODG played a key role in carrying Azonto beyond West Africa. After spending time in Ghana and working with producer Killbeatz, he returned to the United Kingdom with a clearer understanding of the sound and culture surrounding the dance.
What followed helped ignite a global craze.
Songs built around Azonto rhythms began circulating internationally. One of them even broke the dance down step-by-step, making it easy for anyone—anywhere—to learn the moves. Soon, dance floors from London to Paris were filled with people mimicking the playful gestures born on the streets of Accra.
The internet amplified the spread.
Videos of Azonto dancers began appearing from cities across Europe and North America. What had started as a local reinterpretation of a traditional Ga dance was now part of global pop culture.
As often happens when trends explode, imitations followed. Nigerian duo P-Square introduced a dance called Alingo, which many fans saw as heavily inspired by Azonto’s style and rhythm. Debates followed, but for many observers, the origin of the spark was already clear.
Azonto had already written its name into global dance history.
Today, newer sounds like Afrobeats and Amapiano dominate international charts, but Azonto’s influence still lingers in the way African music connects with dance culture worldwide. It proved that a local street movement—driven by creativity and community—could shape global trends.
For Ghana, Azonto was more than a viral moment. It was a cultural statement.
A reminder that sometimes the world’s next big wave doesn’t start in corporate boardrooms or international studios.
Sometimes it starts with a group of friends dancing in the streets of Accra.
Sights and Sounds
EPP BookShop at Legon: A Destination for Students, Families and Book Lovers
A child searching for their first picture book, a university student hunting for a prescribed textbook or a reader hoping to find their next favourite novel can all begin their search at the same place: EPP BookShop at Legon City Mall.
Located at 7 Lagoon Street, off Giffard Road, the Legon branch brings together books for different ages, interests and stages of learning.

Its appeal lies in the range of titles available, making it a useful stop for families preparing children for school, students pursuing higher education and readers looking beyond the classroom.
From a Small Accra Shop to a Growing Book Business
EPP Books began in 1991 as a modest bookshop in Accra, occupying a space of no more than 20 square metres.
Over the years, it grew into a chain with branches across the West African sub-region, expanding its reach beyond its original location.
That journey reflects the continuing need for accessible books in homes, schools and educational institutions.
For many learners, textbooks and supplementary readers are essential tools, while novels and self-help books offer opportunities for entertainment, personal growth and discovery.
Books for Different Stages of Life
At the Legon branch, the selection spans preschool materials, children’s readers, school curriculum books, secondary-school textbooks and university-level titles. Customers can also browse bestselling novels and books on personal development.

EPP BookShop serves both retail and wholesale customers, giving individual readers and organisations options for purchasing books. If a particular title is unavailable on the shelves, the shop can also arrange to order it.
For residents, students and visitors in the Legon area, the branch offers more than a place to buy reading materials. It provides a practical starting point for the search for knowledge, whether that begins with a child’s first schoolbook or a reader’s next literary adventure.
Sights and Sounds
Where Beauty Meets Relaxation: Inside Niobe Salon and Spa in Accra
In a city where daily life can move at a relentless pace, finding a place to pause, unwind and feel refreshed can be a luxury in itself.
At Niobe Salon and Spa, located within Accra’s African Regent Hotel, beauty and relaxation come together in a contemporary setting designed to make personal care an enjoyable experience.
Niobe operates across five locations in Accra, Ghana’s bustling capital, with a philosophy built around the belief that cultivating a personal style should be rewarding, relaxing and fun. Its guiding idea, that “beauty is a feeling,” places the experience of self-care at the heart of its offering.
Facial Treatments for a Refreshed Look
At the African Regent Hotel branch, the treatment menu caters to guests seeking specialised skincare and facial care.
Options include Elemis facials, CACI lifting facials, Biotec Elemis facials, microdermabrasion and peel treatments, as well as Dr Murad facials.
These services offer visitors a range of choices, whether they are looking to refresh their complexion, explore targeted skincare treatments or set aside time for a personal wellness ritual.

The variety also makes the spa an appealing option for hotel guests and Accra residents looking to incorporate professional beauty care into their routines.
The hotel’s location adds to the appeal, offering a convenient setting for visitors who want to combine a beauty appointment with a stay or other activities in the city.
Making Time for Self-Care in Accra
Niobe Salon and Spa welcomes clients during the week and on Saturdays, with Sunday hours listed separately.
However, its published schedules contain some inconsistencies, so prospective visitors should confirm opening times before making a trip.
For travellers discovering Accra or residents seeking a dedicated beauty appointment, Niobe presents an opportunity to step away from everyday demands and make time for themselves.
At its African Regent Hotel location, the emphasis is on more than appearance: it is about making the experience of looking after oneself feel restorative, personal and rewarding.
Sights and Sounds
Calabo Playground Gives Accra Children Room to Play, Explore and Grow
For children, a good weekend can be as simple as racing a friend, climbing onto a play structure or waiting excitedly for the next ride.
At Calabo Playground in East Legon, those small moments are at the heart of the experience.
Located on Mensah Wood Street, Calabo is a soft play and playground designed for children aged 3 to 10, giving families a dedicated space where young children can stay active, socialise and enjoy unstructured play in a secure environment.

One of the attractions is the chance to climb into a canoe and race against friends—a playful competition that can quickly turn an ordinary afternoon into a hunt for bragging rights.
Children can also explore a range of indoor and outdoor equipment, with activities including a sliding pool and train rides.
The playground is particularly suited to Accra families looking for something different from spending weekends indoors. School holidays also bring an opportunity for children to spend more time playing, learning and interacting with others.
Beyond the equipment, Calabo offers a setting for children to build confidence and friendships through play. Parents can also organise parties, while homemade snacks add to the family-friendly experience.

Entry is priced from GH¢30 per hour, making it an accessible option for families seeking a few hours of entertainment without committing to a full-day outing. Calabo operates on weekends and during school holidays, so families should plan their visits around those opening periods.

For visitors to Accra travelling with young children, Calabo offers a glimpse of the city’s family leisure scene. For local parents, it is a simple invitation to let the children run, race, laugh and play.
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