Entertainment
GMA-USA 2021 was a game changer – Dennis Boafo
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Music Awards-USA(GMA-USA), Dennis Boafo has described this year’s event as a game changer.
A Ghanaian gospel musician, Diana Hamilton was adjudged Artiste of The Year, while many well deserving musicians also won various awards at the Event which took place recently in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
Speaking to The Spectator in an interview, Mr.Boafo siad, that this year’s event was a game changer, for this reason they were able to carry out most of the plans and projections compared with the maiden edition.
He explained that they adopted a whole new production team, which contributed immensely to the show, adding that going into their next events they would be looking forward to incorporating most of the new approaches.
Talking about the challenges of COVID-19, he said that GMA-USA was born out of this pandemic last year, “ and in the midst of this global catastrophe we have proven to the world what we are capable of doing.”
“I can say on authority that when this whole pandemic goes away, GMA-USA will be patronize and become the talked about Ghanaian Music Awards programme in the diaspora.We are currently considered the best Ghana music awards show in America,” he said.
He thanked all sakeholders and Ghanaians for the love and support shown towards the scheme within a short space of time.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Sparqlyn reminisces as he congratulates Shatta Wale for winning two awards at 43rd IRAWMA
Ghanaian musician and former member of musicial gorup, Dunsin, Ahmmed Kanneh Larweh, popularly known as Sparqlyn, has congratulated Ghanaian music heavyweight, Shatta Wale following his impressive double victory at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.
Shatta Wale recently made headlines after winning two major awards at the prestigious event held in Florida, USA, securing Best African Dancehall Entertainer and Concert of the Year for ShattaFest.
Reacting to the achievement, Sparqlyn could not hide his excitement after sighting news of the awards on Monday, May 18, 2025.
According to him, the one thing that caught his attention was the plaque presented to Shatta Wale. He noted that the design looked strikingly similar to the one Dunsin received when they won at the MUSA Awards over a decade ago.
The resemblance, especially the upper part of the plaque, instantly brought back memories of his former group’s historic moment on the African stage 13 years ago when the group represented Ghana proudly in South Africa.
It will be recalled that back in 2013, Dunsin achieved international recognition after winning Most Exciting Group in Africa and Most African Video at the MUSA Awards held in Pretoria, South Africa. The awards came on the back of their global hit project “Ɔyɛadeɛyie,” a song that helped elevate the group’s profile beyond Ghana.
At the time, Sparqlyn, then known by many as Kele within the group, was the one who represented Dunsin at the event to pick up the award.
Ghanaian dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah, known as Shatta Wale, has won two awards at the 43rd International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) held in Florida over the weekend.
He picked up the Best African Dancehall Entertainer award as well as Concert of the Year for ShattaFest.
In a statement, Shatta Wale’s management expressed appreciation to the organisers and supporters of the awards.
“Management would like to sincerely appreciate the organisers of the IRAWMA awards for the recognition and continuous support for African music on the global stage.
“We also extend our deepest gratitude to fans across the world, especially the Shatta Movement fraternity, for their unwavering support, votes, and dedication throughout the years,” the statement said.
The statement added that the latest wins reaffirm the artiste’s position as one of Africa’s leading musical exports and a prominent figure in global dancehall culture.
The awards bring Shatta Wale’s total haul at the IRAWMA to 11, highlighting his continued presence on the international reggae and dancehall scene.
At last year’s edition, he won three awards: Best African Dancehall Entertainer, Best Music Video for “Killa Ji Mi”, and Best Crossover Song for “Commando” featuring Bounty Killer. -GNA
