Entertainment
TV3 Mentor 2020:The stage craft, bravado and western invasion
The just ended 2020 TV3 Mentor, organised by Media General, which was held on Sunday December 27, at the studio ‘B’ made me appreciate the need for such shows to help unearth a lot of music talents.
This year’s event commenced with an audition on Monday, August 31 2020, which was followed with the selection of 16 contestants to battle it out for 13 weeks.
The search of the brand new car and two mastered songs, GH¢50,000 worth of airtime across Media General platforms, as the prize package for the ultimate winner became keen week after week.
At the end of this journey, a first-year student of the Half Assini Senior High School, Kweku Bany, emerged as the winner, by ‘wrestling’ the coveted crown from the three other finalists.
Ayeyi walked away with a GH¢10,000 cash prize, a record deal and GH¢40,000 worth of airtime across all Media General platforms.
Second runner-up Semenhyia received GH¢8,000 cash, GH¢30,000 worth of airtime across Media General platforms and record deal.
Netty, who came all the way from the Northern Zone, had GH¢5,000 cash, GH¢20,000 worth of airtime across all Media General platforms, a record deal for placing fourth.
Judges
These contestants were under the able tutelage of music producer Appiah Dankwah, popularly known as Apietus, who was in charge of the South Eastern zone, veteran musician Bessa Simons was in charge of the Middle zone and musicians Adina Thembi and Edem also in charge of South Western and Northern zones respectively.
One thing I observed was that the contestants played their game to the theme of the event “Own the stage.”
And there was no denying the fact that the judges who served as mentors for contestants played a vital role in the growth of the artistes right from the onset, laced with their encouraging and thought-provoking critique of their performances.
There were times, the judges clashed over these contestants to get the best out of them.
There were the ‘unseen’ moments where the judges took the contestants through rudiments of music and stage artistry to make them ready to perform to the general public on Sundays.
Contestants
For an artiste to be able to breakthrough the music barriers and become a household name in both his country and other parts of the world, costuming, stagecraft, and confidence on stage must be topnotch.
One of the things the contestants did not take for granted was their costuming. Their sense for the right costume which corresponded with their their choice of song and stage craft, proved their seriousness for the global music market.
Like the tag-line suggested, ‘Own The Stage’, these contestants on the stage kept their composure and controlled the affairs with amazing commanding bravado tied with an intermittent call and respond, which got the patrons in a ecstatic mood.
The use of right prop made the performances lit and enthralled the audience.
Western invasion
Interestingly, this year’s edition had about four Westerners, Kweku Bany, Ayeyi, Semenhyia and Hyndu out of the 16 contestants brace
all odds to make it to the final six.
This did not end there, as Kweku Bany, Ayeyi and Semenhyia came up as first, second and third respectively, through their dexterity and showmanship.
In recent past, contestants from the Western part of the country have caught the eyes of the public with their excellent delivery on the platform.
Future
Such reality shows serve as platforms to groom talents for the next generation of musicians in the country. They take these budding artistes through a lot of training to ensure they meet the demands of the global music market.
For this reason, they should be given the needed support to stand the test of time.
Kudos to Media General for such resilience in running the show for these years.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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
An Unforgettable Night of Music & Honors: King Promise Thrills at “A Nite with Artiste of the Year”
The Palms Convention Centre at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra was alive with energy on Friday, June 6, as Ghana’s music industry gathered for the second edition of “A Nite with Artiste of the Year” (AOTY).
The exclusive event, celebrating King Promise’s historic Artiste of the Year win at the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), delivered stellar performances, prestigious recognitions, and unforgettable moments.
King Promise Lights Up the Stage
The “5 Star General”, King Promise, took center stage for an intimate, electrifying performance, reminding everyone why he claimed the TGMA’s top prize.
From “Terminator” to “Paris”**, he had the crowd singing along to every word, blending smooth vocals with infectious energy.
The night also featured powerful opening performances by urban gospel artiste Scott Evans, while Titi Owusu (a Best Female Vocal Performance nominee) and dynamic duo Lalli x Lola kept the vibes high.
Honouring Excellence: Special Awards Presentation
Beyond the music, the night celebrated outstanding contributors to Ghana’s entertainment industry with three honorary awards: Opoku Sanaa – Instrumentalist of the Year.
A versatile bassist and music director, Opoku Sanaa has worked with top artists like Joe Mettle, Diana Hamilton, and Cwesi Oteng while performing globally at events like Expo 2020 Dubai. His latest album, “It’s Time”, showcases his innovative artistry.
Susuma Pan-African Dance & Music Ensemble – Traditional Artiste of the Year
For over 30 years, Susuma has been a cultural ambassador, promoting Ghanaian music, drumming, and dance worldwide.
Their performances continue to preserve and elevate Ghana’s heritage. Nanabanyin Dadson was the recipient of the Titan Award.
A renowned journalist and educator, Nanabanyin Dadson has shaped Ghana’s music and arts journalism for decades.
As former Editor of Graphic Showbiz, his work has been pivotal in elevating Ghana’s creative industry.
TGMA Winners Receive Their Plaques
The night also saw plaque presentations to 26th TGMA winners, including Empress Gifty, King Paluta, Team Eternity, Beeztrap KOTM, Epixode, OliveTheBoy, Peewezle, Banini, Ether Goodwyll and Tulenkey, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Industry Networking & Key Announcements
Hosted by the vibrant Andy Dosty (who also DJ’d the event), the night fostered great connections among industry players.
Robert Klah, Head of Public Events & Communications, announced the upcoming TGMA Music Summit slated for June 21 at the British Council, a key event for music professionals.
Brought to You by Telecel & Partners
Produced by Charterhouse, with support from TV3, Closeup, Guinness Ghana, and the British Council, the event was proudly presented by Telecel – Connecting Energies.
“A Nite with Artiste of the Year” was a perfect blend of celebration, recognition, and memorable performances. With King Promise’s captivating stage presence and deserving honorees, the night proved once again why Ghana’s music scene shines bright.
