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 president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) Mr Bessa Simon has described criticism against a donation made to the family of the legendary Yaw Sarpong as misleading and a means to tarnish their image.
According to him, GH¢500 donated to the family during one week observance wasn’t the final funeral contribution but a symbolic amount to help with refreshment during the one week observance.
• Yaw Sarpong
He told the Spectator Agoro that the Union will make a formal donation at the funeral to the icon in the gospel industry.
“Giving an amount at one week is a common practice and shouldn’t overshadow Yaw Sarpongs legacy” he added
Meanwhile others praised MUSIGA for showing solidarity, others condemned the amount, describing it as inadequate and disrespectful to the legacy of the veteran singer.
Yaw Sarpong, born in Accra, emerged as one of Ghana’s most influential gospel musicians and a defining voice in contemporary Christian music across West Africa.
Rising from humble beginnings and shaped by the political and social turbulence of post-independence Ghana, he transformed gospel music with a distinctive blend of spiritual depth, lyrical clarity, and disciplined musical arrangement.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah, Ghana’s celebrated child prodigy and youngest achiever ever recorded in the Guinness World Records’ 70-year history is set to captivate audiences at the upcoming Ghana Independence Day celebrations in Beijing, China.
The Ghana Embassy in the People’s Republic of China will host series of events culminating on March 6, 2026, to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary, with Ace Liam’s artwork prominently featured.
As part of the Embassy’s cultural initiatives, an art exhibition will showcase creative works by top Ghanaian artists including Ace Liam and renowned artist Ibrahim Mahama.
The exhibition aims to celebrate Ghana’s vibrant cultural heritage and foster closer cultural ties between Ghana and China.
At just 3 years old, Ace-Liam has earned acclaim for his innovative artistic talents. His participation in the Independence Day events highlights the role of young Ghanaian artists in promoting the country’s rich culture on a global stage.
Ambassador Kojo Bonsu, during a press soiree held on February 5, 2026, emphasised Ghana’s commitment to deepening its relationship with China through cultural exchange and economic collaboration.
The planned events will also include a business forum and a fashion show by Nineteen57, blending traditional and modern Ghanaian styles.
This will be Ace-Liam’s second international art exhibition after his debut in Barbados at the GUBA Awards.
In 2025, he received an award at the UK Parliament House of Commons as a Global Child Prodigy in Arts. He was also awarded the Kid Creator of the Year at the Creators Awards Ghana 2025.
In a related development, Ace-Liam Ankrah has been recognised as a Young Achiever in the Guinness World Records Book 2026 edition, becoming the youngest achiever in the organisation’s 70-year history.
Featured in the special anniversary edition marking seven decades of global excellence, Ace-Liam joins a distinguished group of record holders and global icons such as Simone Biles, Usain Bolt, and Dolly Parton. His achievements have made a lasting impact worldwide, capturing international attention through the extraordinary power of early childhood creativity.
This latest recognition by Guinness World Records marks a defining milestone not only for Ace-Liam, but also for Ghana and the African creative community. It highlights the importance of nurturing creativity from an early age and demonstrates the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when talent is supported and allowed to flourish.
Reacting to this news, Ace-Liam’s Mother/Manager Chantelle Kuukua Eghan remarked, ‘Ace-Liam being featured in the 2026 Guinness World Records Book as a Young Achiever is a dream come true. I feel blessed and super excited to be his mother. This is not just a win for him, but a win for all kids in the world.’’
Ace-Liam’s artistic journey began at just six months old when his mother, Ghanaian visual artist Chantelle Kuukua, laid out a canvas and paints to keep him engaged while she worked on a commissioned piece.
What began as a simple moment of curiosity quickly revealed something remarkable. Within minutes, he created his first artwork, later titled The Crawl, a vibrant expression that marked the beginning of an exceptional creative path.
Edem Mensah –Tsotorme
