Entertainment
Outstanding musicians honoured at Medimafo Western Music Awards
The 2024 edition of the Medimafo Western Music Awards (WMA) took center stage in a spectacular celebration of musical talent and creativity from the Western Region of Ghana.
Held at the GPHA Auditorium in Takoradi on the 21st September, 2024, the night saw some of the region’s finest talents being recognized for their exceptional contributions to the music industry.
The event, organized under the theme Diversity in Peace and by Westline Entertainment showcased a rich blend of musical genres, affirming the Western Region’s diverse soundscape.
The highlight of the evening was SK Frimpong, the undisputed star, sweeping three major awards: Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for his inspirational song ‘Faithful God.’ His impressive triumph in gospel categories further cements his influence in the Ghanaian music scene.
In the highly competitive Most Popular Ghanaian Song of the Year category, Kofi Kinaata won with his hit song ‘Effiakuma Love,’ which continues to dominate the airwaves. Ewuraba Eesi’s fan-favorite track earned her ‘Western Regional Most Popular Song of the Year.’
Highlife and hiplife continued to hold their ground, with Fameye taking home the ‘Highlife Artiste of the Year’ award and Nero X clinching ‘Highlife Song of the Year’ with ‘Medo Wiase,’ a collaboration featuring Tinny.
On the hiplife front, Bobo Dada B won the ‘Hiplife Artiste of the Year’ while BlaQ Mic’s ‘Botom Ay3 Shi’ earned ‘Hiplife Song of the Year.’
Other notable winners included Mrr Cloudy as ‘Hip Hop Artiste of the Year,’ Walley Bonsu as ‘Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year’ and Naomi Assani for ‘Urban Song of the Year.’ The ‘Best Rapper of the Year’ honor went to Ayesem, further solidifying his position as one of the region’s leading lyricists.
The night also celebrated Jakebeat Gh with ‘Producer of the Year,’ and Kobby Yankey recognized as ‘Best Instrumentalist.’ Sunshine Selina shone in the diaspora category, winning both ‘Western Diaspora Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Best Music Video of the Year’ for her collaboration with Joyce Blessing on ‘Confirm.’
The awards were graced by numerous notable personalities, including Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Arthur, CEOs of Skyy Media Group, Nana Egya Kwamina XI, Chief of Apremdo, Fiifi Buckman, NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Kwesimintsim, Mr. Johnson Assasie, CEO of Jonamass Ventures and Mr. Justice Acquah, MD of Sankofa Prestea Mines, among others.
The 2024 Medimafo Western Music Awards once again reinforced its position as the premier platform for celebrating the talents of the Western Region. The fusion of different genres, vibrant performances, and influential figures made it a night to remember, uniting the region’s music lovers under the banner of peace and diversity.
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
