Entertainment
Western Gospel Awards unveils nominees
Prolific GH, organizers of the 2023 Western Gospel Awards (WGA23) have unveiled the nominees for this year’s edition of the prestigious award.
Prolific GH put out the list via a virtual telecast on via Social media mediums on the Western Gospel Awards page on Facebook and Instagram on September 15th, 2023.
The 2023 Western Gospel Awards(WGA23) which will be hosted in Takoradi on 19th November 2023 this year, has SK. Frimpong, Navah, Yvonne Menz, Ruger Quarm and Mabel Love are other top Gospel Acts as contenders for the Artiste of the Year.
Full List of Nominees:
Western Gospel Artiste of the Year
1. Navah
2. SK Frimpong
3. Yvonne Menz
4. Ruger Quarm
5. Mabel Love
Western Gospel Collaboration of the Year
1. Elvis Addo ft Akesse Brempon – He Reigns
2. Ruger Quarm ft David Osabutey – Calvary
3. Mabel Love ft Enoch Ewudzie – Faithful
4. Ps. David Arku ft Yvonne Menz – Testimony
Western Female Vocalist of the Year
1. Lady Joy
2. Yvonne Menz
3. RhEmma
4. Gracy Incoom
5. Frimpomaa
6. Ruth Ackaah – Gyasi
WESTERN BEST GOSPEL ARTISTE – DIASPORA
1. Elvis Addo
2. Millicent Yankey
3. Andy Justywayne
4. Navah
Western Choral Choir/Group of the Year
1. Praise Cymbals
2. Sixteenth Angelic Choir
3. Wesleyan Symphonic Choir
Western New Gospel Artiste of the Year
1. Elvis Addo
2. RhEmma
3. RapGees
4. Bra Theo
5. Bra Ike
6. Frimpomaa
Western Female Gospel Artiste of the Year
1. Yvonne Menz
2. Mabel Love
3. Efua Black
4. Ruth Ackaah – Gyasi
5. Millicent Yankey
Western Male Gospel Artiste of the Year
1. Ruger Quarm
2. SK Frimpong
3. Isaac K Dentu
4. Ps. David Arku
5. Pascal Koomson
6. Navah
7. Minister JK
Western Male Vocalist of the Year
1. Michael Dennis
2. Ruger Quarm
3. Navah
4. Etriakor Charle
5. Ps. David Arku
6. J-Josh
Western Gospel Song of the Year
1. Mabel Love ft Enoch Ewudzie – Faithful
2. Yvonne Menz – Okokro
3. SK Frimpong – African Praise Jama
4. Navah – Sore
5. Efua Black – Amaizing God
6. Pascal Koomson – Menkwagyfo
Western Instrumentalist of the Year (Technical)
1. Corbina Saah
2. Godfred (Ekueme)
3. Terry String
4. kingDee
Best Choreography / Mime Group of the Year
1. FNDP Academy
2. Elgin Dance Ministry
3. Dinos Dance Crew
4. Victory Dancing Stars
Western Producer of the Year
1. Jake Beatz
2. BB.M
Western Gospel Radio/TV Presenter of the Year
1. Nana Ohene Appiateawaa Sikapa (Oil City Radio)
2. Prince Macasford (Owass fm)
3. Vincent Nyarko (Azay FM)
4. King Mesh (Radio 360)
5. Esi Sesewa (Spice FM)
Western Gospel Radio/TV Show of the Year
1. Adom Mbra – ( Oil City Radio)
2. Osoro Akwantu (Radio 360)
3. Enimoyam Mbre (Azay FM)
4. Gospel 360 – (Owass fm)
5. Gospel Express – (Spice FM)
6. Osore Mmere – (Sharp Fm)
Western Contemporary Choir/Group of the Year
1. Tsie-Eli Worshipers
2. Divine Worshippers
3. Praise Cymbals
4. Worship Unlimited
5. Glory Zone Choir
Western Urban Gospel Artiste of the Year
1. RapGees
2. Min. Esaw
3. Mabel Lov
4. Navah
5. Kofi Ayeyi
6. J-Josh
Western Best Lyrical Content of the year (Technical)
1. Georgia and Georgette – W’ayeyi
2. Corbina Saah – Nyaminli Ndwomi
3. Vincent Nyarko – Life
4. Michael Dennis – Above Principalities
5. Ps. David Arku – Testimony
6. Worship Unlimited – Yeshua
Western Best Blogger of the Year (Technical)
1. Zhikay’s (gospel2me.com)
2. NanaKay (thechurchgh.com)
3. Ngosraba Ekow Yankey (ghministers.com)
4. Kofy Jesse (kofyjesse.com)
5. Kwame Davor (gospelhauz.com)
6. Kofi Annan (kofiannangh.net)
Western Songwriter of the Year
1. Ps. Arku – David Testimony
2. Isaac K Dentu – Wo Nsam
3. Ruger Quarm – Calvary
4. RhEmma – Temple Owner
5. Efua Black – Amaizing God
6. J-Josh – Ndaase Se Wo
Western Gospel Music Video of the Year
1. Ps. David Arku – Testimony
2. Mabel Love – Faithful
3. RhEmma – Temple Owner
4. Isaac K Dentu – Wo Nsam
5. Frimpomaa – Onyame Ama Nsa so Ne
6. Millicent Yankey – Louons Le
7. Worship Unlimited – Yeshua
The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
