Entertainment
MOGmusic Joins Grammy Academy as First Ghanaian gospel artiste
Award winning Ghanaian Gospel Musician, Pastor Nana Yaw Boakye, also known as MOGmusic, has been admitted in the renowned membership of the Grammy Academy.
MOGmusic becomes the first Ghanaian Gospel Artiste from Ghana to be admitted into the Grammy Academy following the approval of his application by the Grammy Board.
Speaking on his admission into the Grammy Academy membership, MOGmusic said he was elated at the news saying it is like a dream come true.
“This is the pinnacle every musician wishes to get to,” he said. “I am glad to be putting Ghana on the map once again.”
He further noted that his admission into the academy is motivation for him to do more as a gospel musician.
The two-time VGMA male vocalist of the year award winner earlier this year took his music career to a whole new level when he launched his latest album titled, ‘Koinonia Phase II”.
The award winning, globally recognized gospel artiste’s album builds on the previous Koinonia Phase I album, launched last year which blessed the industry worldwide with hit songs like Grace, Mala, Your Presence, Almighty God, Choral Praise, Glory to the Lamb and There’s Power.
The new album boasts of eight songs with features from renowned gospel musician Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Pastor Kojo Frimpong, Ps Shadrack Mensah Kwesi, Joey Saff and Kobby Salm.
The songs include, Nyankopong, Glorious, Holy Chant, We Cry Yahweh ft. Pastor Kojo Frimpong, Be Lifted Medley ft. Donnie McClurkin, Covenant Keeper, Yesu ft. Joey Saff and Kobby Salm, and African Praise ft. Ps Shadrack Mensah Kwesi.
MOG has released a number of songs, including the award winning Be Lifted, Elohim, Living God, and many more.
In addition to being a singer and songwriter for the gospel music industry, MOG is also a pastor at the Royalhouse Chapel International and have won best male vocalist of the year at the VGMA twice in a row.
The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
