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VGMA Commemorates World Music Day with 3rd National Music Summit

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In commemoration of the 2023 World Music Day, Charterhouse Productions Limited, organizers of the prestigious Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, presented the 3rd Annual National Music Summit.

The event which was well attended by some of the music industry’s biggest names, had 3 distinct phases of value.
The first part of the event was an Unsung Music Business Workshop, aimed at providing upcoming artistes and music industry professionals with the essentials of music business.

The speakers for this session were Kofi Boachie-Ansah – Record producer and creative entrepreneur; George Britton – Artiste Manager/ CEO GB Records; and Ike Otoo Arhin – Co-founder of Crux Global / Artiste Manager.

This workshop served as a great opportunity for individuals who are looking to make a career in the music industry or enhance their existing knowledge.

The audience gained valuable insights into various aspects of music business, as speakers touched on marketing, promotion, contracts, copyright, branding and more.

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Overall, this session was an invaluable opportunity for individuals looking to make their mark in the music industry and take their careers to new heights.

The second segment was a dialogue of national interest – How the Ecosystem Can Raise More A-list Artistes, With Global Appeal. Panelists of this session were Rocky Dawuni – 3-time Grammy Awards Nominee; Okyeame Kwame – Award Winning Artiste / Entreprenuer; and Joe Mettle – Award Winning Gospel Artiste.

One of the main challenges faced by Ghanaian artists is the lack of exposure in the international market. Given the global interest in African music, there is the need for music professionals to discuss how to grow A-list aritstes with global appeal.

The speakers reiterated a vital point; ‘By focusing on international market penetration, cross-border collaborations, and artist development, the music ecosystem can create a conducive environment for Ghanaian artists to succeed on a global scale’.

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The final session highlighted four individuals worth celebrating.

Two of these four personalities were honored as VGMA Music Titans. These are Francis Kwakye, Sound Engineer and CEO of Rythyms Africa, and Elder S.K. Ampiah, songwriter, singer and composer with several decades of impact in the gospel music industry.

The final 2 artistes honored at the event are Indigenous Vibes, awarded as the Best Traditional Artiste and Prince Hakeem Mathews, awarded as the Best Instrumentalist.

Emily Meisel, a representative from the French Embassy, as part of the activities for the day, made a representation on the support the embassy has for the Ghana music industry.

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The event enjoyed music from instruments by Prince Hakeem Matthews, and traditional music from Nii Tete Tetteh and the Tendaan Muzik, and Indegenous band.

According to Robert Klah, Head of Public Events & Communications, “we cannot celebrate world music day without music. And music, we all know, cannot succeed without the required business backing. Evidently, the two go together.

It is only right that we celebrate the World Music Day, we highlight both the music and the business.”

The event was held on 21st June, 2023 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and it was hosted by on-air media personality, Andy Dosty.

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The 3rd National Music Summit is a 24th VGMA event, organized by Charterhouse, partnered by Yango, TV3, and proudly brought to you by Vodafone, further together.

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Diana Hopeson returns with new album Megyae

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Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician Diana Hopeson, is set to return to the music scene with a new album titled Megyae, a project centred on faith, worship, personal reflection and the power of God’s Word.

The seven-track album, which also includes an instrumental version of the title song, brings together different aspects of Hopeson’s musical journey, combining traditional Ghanaian gospel sounds with contemporary expressions.

At the centre of the project is the title track, Megyae, which was inspired by Psalm 119:9-16 and focuses on the need to keep God’s Word in the heart as a guide to living a righteous life.

Madam Hopeson explained that the song addresses the everyday struggle to overcome temptation, distractions and unhealthy habits that can prevent people from becoming who God has called them to be.

As a certified counsellor, she also seeks to draw attention to some of the deeper issues that can contribute to destructive behaviour and repeated unhealthy patterns.

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The project acknowledges that addiction and other harmful behaviours may be linked to factors such as trauma, stress, mental health challenges and a person’s environment.

Megyae, therefore, presents both a spiritual message and an invitation for listeners to reflect, seek healing and embrace positive change.

Musically, the album brings together different eras of Hopeson’s sound.

The album opens with a worship version of one of her popular songs, Agyenkwa Hene, while Yesu Mo has also been reimagined in a worship style.

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It further features two energetic praise medleys, including one inspired by Hopeson’s Awutu heritage, as well as an English interpretation of Psalm 119:9-16 titled Your Word In My Heart.

The title track appears in two versions, with one taking a warm, vintage-inspired approach that reflects the character of classic Ghanaian gospel music, while the other offers a more contemporary sound for younger listeners.

According to Hopeson, the combination of worship, praise, heritage and personal devotion is intended to create a musical journey while marking a new chapter in her contribution to Ghanaian gospel music.

Ahead of the official launch, she will host an online listening session on August 15, 2026, with further details expected to be announced on her social media platforms.

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The Megyae album will officially be launched at an invitation and RSVP-only launch and fundraising event on August 30, 2026.

The fundraising event will support a nationwide school outreach and campaign inspired by the album.

Through Megyae, Hopeson is encouraging listeners to reflect on the things they need to let go of and consider the impact of allowing the Word of God to take root in their lives.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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Miss Ghana 2026 winners presented to Tourism Minister 

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The Miss Ghana team in a Photograph with the Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie and colleague Members of Parliament
The Miss Ghana team in a Photograph with the Minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie and colleague Members of Parliament

The newly crowned winners of Miss Ghana 2026 have been officially presented to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, as the pageant prepares to mark 70 years of beauty, culture, and national pride.

The courtesy call, held recently in Accra, also marked the official unveiling of the queens to the Minister and Miss Ghana @70 Legacy Project, a year-long initiative to commemorate the pageant’s 70-year history and reposition it as a platform for tourism promotion, youth empowerment, and cultural diplomacy.

The delegation was led by Ms Inna Patty, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Exclusive Events Ghana, organisers of Miss Ghana. 

The team presented their roadmap for the reigning queens, including preparations for the Miss World competition and a series of activities lined up ahead of the pageant’s 70th anniversary.

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Commending the organisation for sustaining the pageant for seven decades, Madam Dzifa Gomashie pledged the ministry’s full support. 

She assured that the queens’ activities will be aligned with national tourism campaigns and other key initiatives to project Ghana’s heritage to the world.

The grand finale of the 69th edition, held under the theme: ‘Empowering Women, Enduring Legacy,’ saw Rumzia Sule, an International Relations student at the University of Cumbria, crowned Miss Ghana 2026. 

She emerged victorious over 12 other contestants to claim the coveted national title.

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Also honoured on the night were Fatimatu Zara Ishaku, a University of Ghana graduate, who placed as 1st Runner-Up, and Whitney Opoku Nketia, who was named 2nd Runner-Up.

Founded in 1957, the same year Ghana gained independence, Miss Ghana remains the nation’s oldest and most prestigious beauty pageant. 

For 70 years, it has crowned women who have gone on to serve as ambassadors for Ghanaian culture, fashion, education, and social impact.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme 

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