Entertainment
TGMA fashion falls short of expectations — Fashion PR
The 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) may have delivered on its promise to celebrate musical excellence, but when it came to fashion, the red carpet left much to be desired, according to fashion publicist Faith Senam Ocloo.
In a candid review of the evening’s fashion, Ocloo expressed disappointment at the overall styling and presentation of many of the night’s attendees, noting that only a handful truly embraced the glamour and creativity expected on such a major platform.
Ms Ocloo said this in an interview with The Spectator Agoro in Accra last week.
“The overall fashion at this year’s TGMA was a little disappointing, honestly, we had very few great looks on the night compared to the number that didn’t look red carpet-worthy.”
While acknowledging the efforts of some talents who exhibited thoughtful styling and clear fashion direction, Ocloo criticised the majority for playing it safe or failing to deliver cohesive, well-executed outfits.
She pointed out that despite years of public scrutiny, many industry players still fall short in their red carpet presentation.
“This is the biggest night for Ghana’s music industry, and I would expect people to show up really fashionable,” she said.
According to Ms Ocloo, although there is growing interest in bold fashion statements, the local industry still lacks the robust styling, grooming, and creative direction needed to elevate fashion standards at such high-profile events.
She highlighted Empress Gifty, Fella Makafui, and Piesie Esther as among the few who stood out with polished yet safe looks, adding that while they were not “out of this world,” they managed to pull off strong fashion moments.
Ms Ocloo also drew comparisons with other continental events, particularly the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), which she praised for building a strong fashion ecosystem involving stylists, designers, glam teams, and the media.
“What the TGMA is currently lacking is that sense of intentionality and coordination,” she said. “We need to treat our award shows as platforms for creative storytelling, not just appearances.”
She further emphasised the need for deeper investments in fashion education, better collaboration with local designers, and a red carpet culture that prioritises individuality and excellence.
Reflecting on the night, Ocloo acknowledged the significance of the awards in spotlighting musical talent but noted that the event’s production and fashion execution still have room for improvement.
“It’s a reflection of the broader creative economy – we’re still on the path. But with more collaboration between music, fashion, and media, the TGMA can become a truly iconic night for Ghanaian pop culture,” she concluded.
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
