Entertainment
Nanabanyin Dadson Honoured with Prestigious TGMA Titan Award
The Palms Convention Centre at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel was ablaze with glitz, and electrifying performances as the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) celebrated its winners in an exclusive event dubbed “Nite with AOTY” on Friday, June 6, 2025.
The night was not just about music—it was also a night of honour and legacy, with veteran journalist and cultural icon Nanabanyin Dadson taking home the prestigious Titan Award for his immense contributions to Ghana’s music and arts ecosystem.
This award was presented by the CEO of Charterhouse, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade, who lavished praise on Dadson, highlighting his invaluable contributions to the industry and to the Ghana Music Awards scheme since its inception.
Titan Award: Nanabanyin Dadson’s Enduring Legacy
Nanabanyin Dadson is a distinguished Ghanaian journalist, arts critic and educator whose influential career spans over three decades. His work has left a lasting imprint on Ghana’s creative and cultural landscape – particularly in the areas of music journalism, arts criticism, and cultural tourism.
A graduate of the University of Ghana with a degree in English and a diploma in Performing Arts, Mr Dadson further pursued postgraduate studies in African Studies and Communication.
He began his journalism career as an arts reporter and columnist with The Mirror and Daily Graphic, before becoming Editor of Graphic Showbiz. Under his leadership, the paper rose to prominence as Ghana’s foremost publication dedicated to entertainment, music and the creative arts.
Throughout his career, Mr Dadson has consistently championed the arts and tourism sectors, using his platform to advocate for greater visibility, understanding and appreciation of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.
His commentary and reportage helped elevate cultural tourism into national conversation, encouraging the public and policymakers alike to recognise its value.
His work has been published in a range of national and international outlets – including West Africa Magazine, African Concord, Africa Magazine, Africa Asia, and the Torino Film Festival Magazine – and cited in academic publications such as Africa Cinema, Politics and Culture by Manthia Diawara.
He also contributed to landmark publications including Jubilee Ghana – A 50-Year News Journey Through Graphic, the Journalism Style Book, and the Journalism Policy Guide for the Graphic Communications Group.
Widely acknowledged as the only arts journalist of his time with both academic and practical grounding in the arts, Mr Dadson brought critical depth, eloquence and clarity to his writing.
His stated mission – to move the arts from the margins and reposition them as a serious and essential part of public discourse – has been largely realised, due in no small part to his pioneering efforts.
Now serving as Head of the Department of Journalism, Visual and Digital Communication at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra, he continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of media practitioners.
He has also delivered lectures at institutions such as New York University (Ghana), the Ghana Institute of Journalism, and BlueCrest College.
His contributions have been recognised with several awards – including the Ministry of Information’s Artswriter Prize (1986, 1988), the Ghana Journalists Association’s Arts & Culture Writer of the Year (1996), and the GJA Recognition Award for Journalism (2004).
Nanabanyin Dadson remains a towering figure in Ghanaian cultural journalism – a passionate advocate for the arts and tourism, and a custodian of Ghana’s creative legacy.
Receiving the Titan Award, Dadson was celebrated as a true custodian of Ghana’s creative legacy, whose work has elevated cultural tourism and arts discourse in the nation.
Other Honourees of the Night
The event also recognised two other outstanding personalities:
1. Opoku Sanaa – Instrumentalist of the Year
A renowned bassist and music director, Sanaa has performed globally, from Expo 2020 Dubai to the Coca-Cola Arena, and worked with top artists like Joe Mettle, Diana Hamilton, and Cwesi Oteng. His 2024 album, “It’s Time”, showcases his genre-defying talent, solidifying his place among Africa’s finest instrumentalists.
2. Susuma Pan-African Dance & Music Ensemble – Traditional Artiste of the Year
Founded in 1991 by Nana Kwame Dadzie, this award-winning ensemble has taken Ghanaian traditional music and dance to global stages, preserving and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Entertainment
Ghana’s Daniel Ayittah Joins 2025 GRAMMY Recording Academy Member Class
Ghanaian audio engineer and founder of Outluk Records, Daniel Ayittah, has been officially inducted into the Recording Academy’s 2025 New Member Class, marking a historic moment for Ghana’s Gospel music industry.
His selection makes him the first Ghanaian audio engineer in the genre to be welcomed into the prestigious global music community, which includes nearly 3,600 new members this year.
The Recording Academy, organizers of the annual GRAMMY Awards, continues its push toward greater inclusivity and representation across its voting body and professional networks. Ayittah’s inclusion signals both a recognition of excellence and a step forward for African professionals in technical fields of music production.
“I’m honoured and humbled to officially join the Recording Academy’s 2025 New Member Class—an inspiring global community of creators and professionals who are shaping the future of music,” Ayittah shared in a heartfelt social media statement.
He said,“This milestone is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a testament to every late night in the studio, every mix revision, and all the support I’ve received along the way.”
Daniel Ayittah added that “As a member, I now have a voice in the GRAMMY Awards process and a platform to advocate for our industry, support my peers, mentor the next generation of engineers, and grow in my own journey.”
Over the last decade, Daniel Ayittah has emerged as one of Africa’s leading gospel mix engineers, known for his signature blend of technical precision and creative warmth.
From a modest university setup to the professional-grade Outluk Records in Accra, Ayittah has lent his touch to recordings by some of the continent’s most celebrated gospel acts, including Joe Mettle, Dunsin Oyekan, Sinach, Victoria Orenze,Moses Bliss, CalledOut Music, KaeStrings, Prospa Ochimana, Preye Odede, and Daniel Ojo.
His journey has seen him travel from Accra to Nashville, Tennessee, where he refined his craft under the mentorship of globally renowned engineers, including John “Yosh” Jaszcz, Randy Poole, Jon Blass, Adam David Smith, and AyRon Lewis.
These experiences have shaped his world-class approach to mixing, contributing to his reputation as a sought-after audio professional in both African and international gospel music circles.
Outluk Records, under Ayittah’s leadership, has grown beyond a production house— it now stands as a creative hub for artists seeking sonic clarity and emotional resonance in their music.
Looking to the future, Ayittah envisions expanding the studio’s impact through mentorship and education. Plans are underway to launch educational workshops for young engineers across the continent, alongside a series of online masterclasses designed to equip and inspire the next generation.
Entertainment
Sarah Sansa drops debut album ‘Revelation
Gospel artiste Sarah Sansa has officially released her long-awaited debut album, titled ‘Revelation’ over the weekend.
The six-track songs promises to stir hearts and draw listeners closer to Jesus Christ.
Among the songs on the album include confession, Grace, Take over and Holy Spirit.
Speaking to The Spectator Agoro she explained that ‘Revelation’ album is a spiritual journey woven through melodies and lyrics that reflect years of divine encounters and creative inspiration.
According to her, every song on the album has been carefully written over the past seven years, birthed in moments of deep reflection, worship, and prayer.
“With themes centered on God’s love, grace, and the revelation of Jesus, the album invites listeners into an atmosphere of worship and personal revival”
Sarah describes her album as more than just a musical release and disclosed that it is a ministry tool designed to awaken spiritual hunger and help people understand the depth of Christ’s love.
“Whether you’re a long-time believer or someone seeking spiritual direction, this album serves as a powerful catalyst for transformation”. She added.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
