Entertainment
Joseph Matthew wins UK-Based Gospel Song of the Year at 2023 GMA-UK
The Ghana Music Awards UK celebrated the best and brightest of Ghanaian talent on a crisp autumn night in London’s Royal Regency on Saturday, October 7, 2023.
Among the winners was UK-based-Ghanaian Afro-gospel singer Joseph Matthew, who took home the coveted award for UK-based Gospel Song of the Year for his hit song “Blessed”.
Matthew beat out a strong field of nominees, including MayQueen, Samuel Sey, Alice Mackenzie, Yvonne Asamoah, and Minister Kofi Nyarko to claim the award.
His song “Blessed,” produced by Francis Osei and directed by Martin Sean, has become a global hit, inspiring listeners worldwide.
This is the second major award that the ‘Promise Land’ crooner has won. In 2020, he won the International Artist of the Year award at the maiden edition of the Emerging Ghana Music Awards.
He is one of the leading voices in the Afro-gospel genre, and his music continues to inspire and uplift listeners worldwide.
‘Promise Land,’ released in June 2023 is currently at number 9 on the Adom Top 10 Gospel Countdown, the most credible gospel music chart in Ghana.
Ghana Music Awards UK sponsored by Taabea has been one of the most anticipated events on the calendar of Ghanaian musicians in both Ghana and the UK.
Iconic dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale was crowned Artiste of the Year at this year’s awards ceremony.
Watch Blessed and Promise Land Music videos below
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
