Entertainment
Spotlight Awards Africa honours enterprising youth
• Okaija Afroso addressing people at the album listening
The just-ended second edition of 2022 Spotlight Awards Africa held at the Airport West Hotel on Saturday, July 16, 2022, honoured many enterprising youths who have devoted themselves to impact many lives.
The scheme seeks to celebrate and award the youth who contribute their quota in their various fraternities in the entrepreneurship field and entertainment industry.
The night saw thrilling performances from Swiss bands as patrons and awardees enjoyed contemporary and indigenous Ghanaian music.
Project Executive of Spotlight Awards Africa, Miss Mimi Owusu-Appiah, in her opening address shared her congratulatory message to all the awardees and honorees to do more to can encourage the youth in the country.
She added that, although there were many schemes in Ghana awarding great feat, Spotlight Awards Africa will continue to scout for great people who are not being recognised but are contributing their quota to society and the economy at large.
Honoree on the night, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NELPLAST Eco Ghana Limited Mr. Nelson Boateng, lauded the scheme for their honour and affirmed that his outfit will continue to use waste material to build schools and affordable houses in the years ahead.
President and founder of Charger Limited, Dr. Bortey’s representative receiving the honorary recognition on behalf of his President thanked the scheme and tasked them to honour well-befitting industry players in the country.
The enviable category of the night, Outstanding Youth Personality of the Year went to Afia Agyakoma Bonsu , having received the award encouraged the youth to be passionate about whatever business they do which put food on their table.
The Chief of Upper Dixcove in the Ahanta West Municipality in the Western Region, Obrempon Hima Dekyi XIV and the CEO of InvestEye Capital, Nana Osae Addo graced the event as special guests.
In all, 12 categories received their plaques and certificates, and three astute honorees also received their citation and plaques.
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
