Entertainment
Ghana Music Awards UK unveils nominees
Ernest Kwasi delivering his address
It was a night of class at the Labadi Beach Hotel as industry players thronged the launch of this year’s Ghana Music Awards-UK. The event also saw the unveiling of the nominees of artistes who excelled in the year under review. In all, over 42 categories were announced on the night recently.
Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of The Year category will see, Black Sherif, Sarkodie, Medikal, Amerado, DJ Azonto, and Lasmid battle it out. Interestingly, the Hiplife/Hip Hop Song of The Year is a contest for Friday Night – Lasmid, Scarface – Medikal, Grace – Amerado ft. Lasmid, Ewiase – Kweku Flick, Country Side – Sarkodie ft. Black Sherif, Soja – Black Sherif, Fa No Fom – DJ Azonto, Benzo – Malcom Nuna, Kwacha – YPee ft. Yaw TOG, Pressure – Kimilist, Obaa Hemaa – Skyface SDW ft. O’Kenneth, Reggie, Beeztrap KOTM, Kwaku DMC & Jay Bahd. The coveted category, Artiste of the Year will be a tough encounter for Black Sherif, Piesie Esther,Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, King Promise
and Shatta Wale to snatch the ultimate.
Delivering the keynote address, the Director of Operations at the Presidency, Lord Oblitey Commey,said,the event has proven that Ghanaian artistes are not only masters of their craft, but ambassadors of the country’s Ghanaian cultural heritage.
He added that Ghanaian music has come a long way as musicians have been able to break through and project the name and image of the country.
According to him, the country basks in the glory and acknowledges the roles played by past and present Presidents, adding that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has shown commitment to the creative arts through building infrastructure and access to resources and policies that promote creativity.
He also called for the spirit of collaboration in the quest to break boundaries.
The former Deputy Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Dzifa Gomashie urged the ministry to pay attention to the creative arts.
She said, “so far, I think our ministry, this is not to bash anybody, our ministry focuses on Tourism more than it does on the creative arts and that must stop.”
The Member of Parliament for Ketu South said the sector employs a lot of people in the value chain and for that reason, there is a need for more support from the government.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, renowned artiste manager, Ernest Kwasi, said, the journey has been a tough and difficult one, but with the belief in their dream and the support of stakeholders, the launch and unveiling were successful.
He said the event is a people choice awards scheme that seeks to champion Ghanaian music on the international scheme and presents other business, culture among other opportunities.
According to him, the expectation is to award excellence and become the biggest music event in the diaspora.
He said the main event would be held in London, on October 7, 2023 in the United Kingdom. Ernest Kwasi expressed his appreciation to Tabea, Lawson Herbal, Adonko, Remit Choice Money Transfer, and Blue Jeans among others for coming on board to support the growth of Ghana music.
The patrons were mesmerised by performances from Mabel Okyere, Perez Musik, Keche Joshua, Mo Spence, Lasmid, GodMother Shegah, FBS, and Epixode among others.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghanaian casting director Mawuko Kuadzi has etched his name in the country’s film history, becoming the first-ever winner of the newly introduced Best Casting Director category at the 15th Ghana Movie Awards (GMA) held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
The star-studded ceremony, which attracted a host of Ghanaian and African celebrities, saw Mawuko Kuadzi take home the historic award for his work on the film The Fisherman.
He beat fellow nominees Naomi Osei Mensah (King of Tema), Frank Rajah (Virgin of the Throne), and the duo Rawdrick Lartey Junior and Omar Krupp (Ghana Map).
The category, introduced for the first time in the awards’ 15-year history, mirrors a similar addition by the Academy Awards (Oscars) and celebrates the critical role of casting directors as the “Human Resource Managers” of the creative economy.
Mawuko Kuadzi’s win comes on the heels of groundbreaking international achievements. In 2025 and again in 2026, he became the first African in 40 years to win the prestigious ARTIOS Award from the Casting Society of America (CSA), firmly placing Ghana on the global casting map.
His international acclaim also led the Ghana Leadership Awards to create and bestow upon him the Best Casting Director honor in 2024.
Observers note that this progression sends a powerful message: when a professional consistently delivers excellence, industry bodies are compelled to take notice and create platforms to honor that contribution.
The biggest honor of the evening, Best Picture, went to Sukura, a production that also featured an executive producer in a lead role.
The film King of Tema took home the Best Editing award, while The Fisherman, which earned Mawuko Kuadzi his historic casting award also won Best Visual Effect. Several veteran actors and rising stars were also celebrated across various categories.
The red carpet at the Kempinski Hotel was a spectacular affair, drawing a who is who of Ghanaian and African entertainment.
Among the Ghanaian stars who graced the event were Fred Amugi, Jackie Appiah, Yvonne Nelson, Nana Ama McBrown, Kweku Manu, Dr Likee, Juliet Ibrahim, Salma Mumin, Hajia4Reall, AJ Poundz, Ahuofe Patri, Charly DGH, and James Gardiner.
Nigerian representation was strong, with actors Deyemi Okanlawon, Daniel Etim Effiong, and celebrated filmmaker Kunle Afolayan all walking the red carpet, underscoring the deepening creative ties between Ghana and Nigeria.
A major highlight was an emotional tribute to legendary highlife musician Daddy Lumba, veteran actress Beverly Afaglo, and Nigerian actor Alexx Ekubo, with a cross-border performance that moved the audience.
The National Film Authority used the platform to urge stakeholders to contribute to a film industry fund, signaling a push for greater financial and institutional backing for the sector
The leadership of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), present at the ceremony, praised the Ghana Movie Awards for its forward-looking approach.
“The Ghana Movie Awards is holding the fort for the creative economy,” a chamber spokesperson said. “Film is the mother industry. Any initiative that sustains the film sector multiplies jobs across the entire economy.”
With his maiden GMA win, Mawuko Kuadzi has
now achieved a rare triple: Ghana Leadership Awards honoree (2024), two-time ARTIOS winner (2025, 2026), and now the first ever Best Casting Director at the Ghana Movie Awards.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Blood Crew, a Ghanaian contemporary gospel music group based in Kumasi, celebrated its 10th anniversary in ministry with a special cake-cutting ceremony during the Grace Concert held at Gracefields Chapel, Havlah Temple, Ahodwo.
The celebration formed part of the group’s annual live recording event, ‘The Blood Effect’, which brought together thousands of worshippers, gospel music lovers, ministers, and invited guests for an unforgettable night of worship and live music recording.
The anniversary cake was officially cut by the Founder and Music Director of the group, David Nana Bonsu, popularly known as Nana Quophi, together with Rev. Simon Ampofo, shortly after the first session of live recordings featuring newly composed songs and selected old compilations.
The ceremony was witnessed by alumni members, current team members, invited gospel artistes, instrumentalists, management, and worshippers who gathered to celebrate the milestone achievement of the ministry.
The occasion marked 10 years of The Blood Crew’s contribution to gospel music ministry, worship, fellowship, evangelism, mentorship, and youth impact through music.
Members of the group used the opportunity to reflect on their journey over the years and expressed gratitude to God for sustaining the ministry and helping them remain impactful.
The event featured ministrations from UK-based Ghanaian gospel artiste Emmanuel Gyamfi, Pastor Edwin Dadson, Team Eternity Ghana, Manuel Tuffour, Joshua Ahenkorah, and Yefter Nkansah.
The group described the anniversary celebration as a moment of thanksgiving, reflection, and renewed commitment to continue impacting lives through gospel music and worship ministry.
Over the years, The Blood Crew’s annual ‘The Blood Effect’ live recording event has grown into a recognized platform for worship, spiritual impact, and gospel music ministry in Kumasi and beyond.
This year’s edition uniquely combined live recordings with the group’s 10th anniversary celebration, making it one of the most memorable editions since the ministry began.
By Spectator Reporter
