Entertainment
VGMA Nominations:The contest, surprises and disappointments
It is the time of the year where musicians and others involved in music production in the country who have excelled in their craft within the year under review, are acknowledged.
In line with this, the oldest music award scheme in the country, Vodafone Ghana Music Award, VGMA last Saturday unveiled nominees vying for the ultimate in various categories.
According toTheresa Ayoade, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Charterhouse Productions, They received over thousand entries, and together with experts in various music genres, they settled for the finalists.
Some of the new additions to the categories are, Extended Play (EP) of the Year, Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Yearand the erstwhile Best Rapper of the Year category is now known as Best Rap Performance of the Year.
Interestingly, Adina received 10 nominations, making her the first female artiste with the highest nomination.
As part of this year’s event, there would be two digital music seminars and three nominees jams with other interesting activities ahead of the main Awards night slated for June 12, 2021, at the Grand Arena in Accra.
The observations by some music lovers was not different from the reactions which has accompanied the scheme for the last 22 years since its inception.
There are some categories with keen contest which, according to many, would be difficult to stick one’s neck out for a musician, others have also expressed surprise and disappointment at some names which made it to other categories and other artistes who did not get any nominations.
It would not be an easy battle in the contest for the ruler of Ghana music being, the Artiste of the Year, as Kuame Eugene, the title holder squares it off with Sarkodie, KiDi, Adina, Diana Hamilton and Medikal.
The Gospel Artiste of the Year, would as well be a tough competition between Eric Jeshrun, Joe Mettle, Akesse Brempong, Diana Hamilton,MOG Music, Empress Gifty Adorye and Celestine Donkor
The Vodafone Most Popular Song of the Year has songs like Ataa Adwoa – Bosom PYung, Adom – Diana Hamilton, No Dulling – Keche, Enjoyment – KiDi, Sisa – King Promise, Ekorso – Kofi Jamar, Open Gate – Kuami Eugene, La Hustle Remix – Medikal, Happy Day – Sarkodie, Sore – Yaw Tog, Say Cheese – KiDi and Inna Song – Darkovibes.
The Raggae Dancehall Artiste of the Year, would be a difficult contest as reigning champion, Ras Kuuku, comes face-to-face with Samini, Laruso, Epixode and Kaphun.
Interestingly, songs like Posti Me by Akwaboah will be competing with Playboy from Dada Hafco ft. Akwaboah, KiDi’s Enjoyment, Behind The Scenes by Kofi Kinaata, Kuami Eugene’s Open Gate, Asabone byLord Paper ft. Bosom P-Yung, Later from Mr Drew ft. Kelvyn Boy and Sista Afia’s Partyin the Highlife Song of the Year.
The battle of the Best Group of the Year will be between, Bethel Revival Choir, DopeNation, Dead Peepol and Keche.
Burna Boy, Davido , Wizkid, Master KG, Fireboy DML and Omah Lay will compete for the Best African Artiste.
Another tough battle is the Producer of the Year whose magic wand gave Ghanaians an irresistible song last year, as Chris Rich Beats, Yung Demz, Street Beatz, Richie Mensah, MOG Beatz and Willis Beatz prove their mettle for the crown this time round.
VGMA Unsung Act will see budding talents like Oseikrom Sikani,
Malcolm Nuna, Kwame Yogot, Kobby Tuesday, Naana Blu, Adelaide The Seer, Queendalyn and Nanky square it off for the ruler of the new school.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The time has come for musicians who were outstanding in the year under review in 2025 to earn nomination at Ghana’s prestigious music awards.
The much-awaited nomination for the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) is slated for today, March 14, 2026.
As part of measures to build up anticipation, the announcement will commenced with an hourly unveiling of nominees across all official TGMA social media platforms and partner channels from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Everything would be wrapped up in the evening with a special ceremony to officially kick off the 27th TGMA season, featuring the unveiling of the Big Five categories alongside key remarks from industry stakeholders at the Palms Convention Centre.
At the ceremony, the TGMA Calendar Indicating official schedule of activities leading up to the main awards ceremony will be unveiled.
Following the close of the submission window, the Board and the Selection Committee spent weeks reviewing works released during the year under review.
Each entry was carefully evaluated for artistic merit, technical excellence, and cultural impact to ensure that the final nominee list reflects the very best of Ghanaian music.
The 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards is produced by Charterhouse in partnership with TV3, Closeup, British Council, refreshed by Guinness and powered by Telecel .
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Thousands of music enthusiasts thronged the Adaklu Youth Resource Centre on Thursday night for the Torcher Experience Concert headlined by Ghanaian music icon Stonebwoy, blending entertainment with youth empowerment.
The atmosphere at the concert grounds changed, the moment Stonebwoy began his grand entry onto the stage at the “Torcher Experience” concert.
As the powerful Ewe song “Mele Gbagbe Há Wo le alia” started playing through the speakers, the crowd erupted with loud cheers and excitement waving their hands in unison, sang along, and some held up their phones with flashlights, lighting up the night as they waited to see the Bhim Nation President appear.
Notable of him, Stonebwoy stepped onto the stage with well-rehearsed symbolic choreography and energy, dressed stylishly as he was ushered on the stage by white-clad men wielding long sticks, from where he acknowledged the massive crowd.
The song created an emotional and energetic mood, making the audience feel connected to the performance. As he moved closer to the front of the stage, the cheers grew even louder, setting the tone for an unforgettable night of music and celebration in Ho and beyond as patrons celebrate music, unity and community spirit.
The venue came alive with excitement as fans sang along to popular songs and enjoyed energetic stage performances, creating a vibrant atmosphere that lasted late into the morning.
A delegation led by Mr James Gunu, together with Edem Agbana and Edem Kpotosu, Members of Parliament of Ketu North and Ho Central, respectively attended the event, and presented a citation and helped in cutting a birthday cake to the artiste in recognition of his contribution to music and youth development.
Mr Gunu commended Stonebwoy for projecting the Volta Region and Ghana onto the global stage through music while inspiring young people to pursue their talents and ambitions.
In a notable gesture during the concert, the artiste donated GH¢100,000 as seed funding towards the Volta Youth Development Fund, an initiative aimed at supporting youth entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for young people in the region.
Although the concert recorded massive patronage and lively performances, some patrons raised concerns about intermittent sound challenges; however, many remained at the venue until about 05:30am hours, cheering and calling for more performances as Stonebwoy thrilled the audience with his dynamic stagecraft and popular hits. GNA
