Entertainment
VGMA Commemorates World Music Day with 3rd National Music Summit
In commemoration of the 2023 World Music Day, Charterhouse Productions Limited, organizers of the prestigious Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, presented the 3rd Annual National Music Summit.
The event which was well attended by some of the music industry’s biggest names, had 3 distinct phases of value.
The first part of the event was an Unsung Music Business Workshop, aimed at providing upcoming artistes and music industry professionals with the essentials of music business.
The speakers for this session were Kofi Boachie-Ansah – Record producer and creative entrepreneur; George Britton – Artiste Manager/ CEO GB Records; and Ike Otoo Arhin – Co-founder of Crux Global / Artiste Manager.
This workshop served as a great opportunity for individuals who are looking to make a career in the music industry or enhance their existing knowledge.
The audience gained valuable insights into various aspects of music business, as speakers touched on marketing, promotion, contracts, copyright, branding and more.
Overall, this session was an invaluable opportunity for individuals looking to make their mark in the music industry and take their careers to new heights.
The second segment was a dialogue of national interest – How the Ecosystem Can Raise More A-list Artistes, With Global Appeal. Panelists of this session were Rocky Dawuni – 3-time Grammy Awards Nominee; Okyeame Kwame – Award Winning Artiste / Entreprenuer; and Joe Mettle – Award Winning Gospel Artiste.
One of the main challenges faced by Ghanaian artists is the lack of exposure in the international market. Given the global interest in African music, there is the need for music professionals to discuss how to grow A-list aritstes with global appeal.
The speakers reiterated a vital point; ‘By focusing on international market penetration, cross-border collaborations, and artist development, the music ecosystem can create a conducive environment for Ghanaian artists to succeed on a global scale’.
The final session highlighted four individuals worth celebrating.
Two of these four personalities were honored as VGMA Music Titans. These are Francis Kwakye, Sound Engineer and CEO of Rythyms Africa, and Elder S.K. Ampiah, songwriter, singer and composer with several decades of impact in the gospel music industry.
The final 2 artistes honored at the event are Indigenous Vibes, awarded as the Best Traditional Artiste and Prince Hakeem Mathews, awarded as the Best Instrumentalist.
Emily Meisel, a representative from the French Embassy, as part of the activities for the day, made a representation on the support the embassy has for the Ghana music industry.
The event enjoyed music from instruments by Prince Hakeem Matthews, and traditional music from Nii Tete Tetteh and the Tendaan Muzik, and Indegenous band.
According to Robert Klah, Head of Public Events & Communications, “we cannot celebrate world music day without music. And music, we all know, cannot succeed without the required business backing. Evidently, the two go together.
It is only right that we celebrate the World Music Day, we highlight both the music and the business.”
The event was held on 21st June, 2023 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and it was hosted by on-air media personality, Andy Dosty.
The 3rd National Music Summit is a 24th VGMA event, organized by Charterhouse, partnered by Yango, TV3, and proudly brought to you by Vodafone, further together.
THE president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Mr Bessa Simon has described criticism against a donation made to the family of the legendary Yaw Sarpong as misleading and a means to tarnish their image.
According to him, GH¢500 donated to the family during one week observance wasn’t the final funeral contribution but a symbolic amount to help with refreshment during the one week observance.
• Yaw Sarpong
He told the Spectator Agoro that the Union will make a formal donation at the funeral to the icon in the gospel industry.
“Giving an amount at one week is a common practice and shouldn’t overshadow Yaw Sarpongs legacy” he added
Meanwhile others praised MUSIGA for showing solidarity, others condemned the amount, describing it as inadequate and disrespectful to the legacy of the veteran singer.
Yaw Sarpong, born in Accra, emerged as one of Ghana’s most influential gospel musicians and a defining voice in contemporary Christian music across West Africa.
Rising from humble beginnings and shaped by the political and social turbulence of post-independence Ghana, he transformed gospel music with a distinctive blend of spiritual depth, lyrical clarity, and disciplined musical arrangement.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, Ghana’s celebrated child prodigy and youngest achiever ever recorded in the Guinness World Records’ 70-year history is set to captivate audiences at the upcoming Ghana Independence Day celebrations in Beijing, China.
The Ghana Embassy in the People’s Republic of China will host series of events culminating on March 6, 2026, to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary, with Ace Liam’s artwork prominently featured.
As part of the Embassy’s cultural initiatives, an art exhibition will showcase creative works by top Ghanaian artists including Ace Liam and renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama.
The exhibition aims to celebrate Ghana’s vibrant cultural heritage and foster closer cultural ties between Ghana and China.
At just 3 years old, Ace-Liam has earned acclaim for his innovative artistic talents. His participation in the Independence Day events highlights the role of young Ghanaian artists in promoting the country’s rich culture on a global stage.
Ambassador Kojo Bonsu, during a press soiree held on February 5, 2026, emphasised Ghana’s commitment to deepening its relationship with China through cultural exchange and economic collaboration.
The planned events will also include a business forum and a fashion show by Nineteen57, blending traditional and modern Ghanaian styles.
This will be Ace-Liam’s second international art exhibition after his debut in Barbados at the GUBA Awards.
In 2025, he received an award at the UK Parliament House of Commons as a Global Child Prodigy in Arts. He was also awarded the Kid Creator of the Year at the Creators Awards Ghana 2025.
In a related development, Ace-Liam Ankrah has been recognised as a Young Achiever in the Guinness World Records Book 2026 edition, becoming the youngest achiever in the organisation’s 70-year history.
Featured in the special anniversary edition marking seven decades of global excellence, Ace-Liam joins a distinguished group of record holders and global icons such as Simone Biles, Usain Bolt, and Dolly Parton. His achievements have made a lasting impact worldwide, capturing international attention through the extraordinary power of early childhood creativity.
This latest recognition by Guinness World Records marks a defining milestone not only for Ace-Liam, but also for Ghana and the African creative community. It highlights the importance of nurturing creativity from an early age and demonstrates the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when talent is supported and allowed to flourish.
Reacting to this news, Ace-Liam’s Mother/Manager Chantelle Kuukua Eghan remarked, ‘Ace-Liam being featured in the 2026 Guinness World Records Book as a Young Achiever is a dream come true. I feel blessed and super excited to be his mother. This is not just a win for him, but a win for all kids in the world.’’
Ace-Liam’s artistic journey began at just six months old when his mother, Ghanaian visual artist Chantelle Kuukua, laid out a canvas and paints to keep him engaged while she worked on a commissioned piece.
What began as a simple moment of curiosity quickly revealed something remarkable. Within minutes, he created his first artwork, later titled The Crawl, a vibrant expression that marked the beginning of an exceptional creative path.
Edem Mensah –Tsotorme
