Entertainment
Global Citizen, pgLang, Ghana President partner to announce ‘Move Afrika, Ghana’
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, have announced at the World Economic Forum that, Accra- Ghana will join Kigali (Rwanda), as a host city for this year’s Move Afrika.
This follows the decision of Global Citizen and pgLang to bring back Move Africa to Ghana to pioneer a first-of-its-kind international music touring circuit across Africa, driving economic investment, job creation, and as well supporting entrepreneurship opportunities in each host country
President Nana Akufo-Addo who expressed gratitude to the organizers said, Ghana was delighted to join Rwanda in becoming the next destination for Global Citizen’s pan-African tour, which is expected to continue impacting talent across the continent.
“I am excited to announce that later this year, Global Citizen will return to Ghana with Move Afrika. Global Citizen is known for leveraging live music events to engage youth while creating social and economic impact.
“We are delighted to join Rwanda in becoming the next destination for Global Citizen’s multi-year, multi-market pan-African tour, and expect continued impact in the years ahead. Today, we celebrate this milestone for Ghana. We look forward to future announcements on this growing cohort of Move Afrika destinations.” President Akufo-Addo said.
President Paul Kagame said, last month, Rwanda was privileged to host the inaugural Move Afrika concert, in partnership with Global Citizen, and stressed that, without exaggeration, Kendrick Lamar moved the whole city of Kigali with his performance.
“We are even happier that he took the time to engage with our local artists. Africa has the talent. More often than not, what they lack is mentorship and support.
Global Citizen’s commitment to develop the workforce needed for professional concert tours will leave an important economic legacy for our region.” President Paul Kagame said.
The Chief Vision Officer for Global Citizen, Mr Kweku Mandela added that, Global Citizen is honored to bring Move Afrika to Ghana, stressing that, the partnership with the Ghanaian and Rwandan governments would showcase the best of African creative talent to the world.
“This concert will generate economic investment into the local creative economy, which will have a lasting impact across the continent for years to come,” he said.
Move Afrika: Ghana builds on Global Citizen’s previous campaigns and events across the African continent include: Move Afrika: Rwanda held at the BK Arena in 2023; Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, which brought Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Usher, Eddie Vedder and Chris Martin of Coldplay to Johannesburg, South Africa in 2018; Global Citizen Live: Lagos that featured Davido, Femi Kuti, and Tiwa Savage at Fela Kuti’s New Afrika Shrine in 2021; and Global Citizen Festival: Accra, which brought Usher, SZA, Stormzy, and TEMS to the Black Star Square in 2022.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
Entertainment
‘Artivism’ at TGMA27: Okyeame Kwame uses gold-themed Red Carpet look to wage war against galamsey
Renowned musician and “Rap Dacta” Okyeame Kwame transformed the 2026 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) red carpet into a platform for environmental activism, making a bold visual statement against the devastating effects of illegal mining, affectionately called galamsey.
Arriving in a striking ensemble, the artiste was draped in gold colours from head to toe, complete with a matching gold-plated sword.
However, the glamour carried a somber message. Flanked by two bodybuilders who performed as figures suffering from the physical and environmental “cancers” of illegal mining, Okyeame Kwame’s appearance served as a stark contrast between the beauty of Ghana’s gold and the destruction caused by its extraction.
Speaking to host Giovanni Caleb, the musician explained that his “glittering” look was a deliberate irony intended to spark a national conversation.
“I wanted to look like gold to remind Ghanaians that while gold glitters, galamsey destroys our rivers, our rocks, our air, and our nature,” Okyeame Kwame stated.
He further emphasised that the fight against environmental degradation transcends partisan lines.
“If we glitter like this once every year and forget that it is not the responsibility of the NPP or NDC, but the collective responsibility of all Ghanaians to stop this galamsey cancer, then we have failed,” he added.
Long recognized as an ‘Artivist,’ Okyeame Kwame has a storied history of using his public platform to champion social and environmental causes.
The 2026 TGMA, while a night of musical celebration, was momentarily refocused by the Rap Dacta’s plea for the protection of Ghana’s natural heritage, proving once again that art remains one of the most powerful tools for social change.
Okyeame Kwame is currently out with new single dubbed, “Clap,” a song encouraging communal support and celebration of others’ successes.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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
