Ernest Kwasi delivering his address

It was a night of class at the Labadi Beach Hotel as industry players thronged the launch of this year’s Ghana Music Awards-UK.   The event also saw the unveiling of the nominees of artistes who excelled in the year under review.   In all, over 42 categories were announced on the night recently.

Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of The Year category will see, Black Sherif, Sarkodie, Medikal, Amerado, DJ Azonto, and  Lasmid  battle it out.   Interestingly, the Hiplife/Hip Hop Song of The Year is a contest for Friday Night – Lasmid, Scarface – Medikal, Grace – Amerado ft. Lasmid, Ewiase – Kweku Flick, Country Side – Sarkodie ft. Black Sherif, Soja – Black Sherif, Fa No Fom – DJ Azonto, Benzo – Malcom Nuna, Kwacha – YPee ft. Yaw TOG, Pressure – Kimilist, Obaa Hemaa – Skyface SDW ft. O’Kenneth, Reggie, Beeztrap KOTM, Kwaku DMC & Jay Bahd.   The coveted category, Artiste of the Year will be a tough encounter for Black Sherif, Piesie Esther,Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, King Promise
and Shatta Wale to snatch the ultimate.  

Delivering the keynote address,  the Director of Operations at the Presidency, Lord Oblitey Commey,said,the event has proven that Ghanaian artistes are not only masters of their craft, but ambassadors of the country’s Ghanaian cultural heritage.  

He added that Ghanaian music has come a long way as musicians have been able to break through and project the name and image of the country.  

According to him, the country basks in the glory and acknowledges the roles played by past and present Presidents, adding that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has shown commitment to the creative arts through building infrastructure and access to resources and policies that promote creativity.  

He also called for the spirit of collaboration in the quest to break boundaries.  

The former Deputy Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Dzifa Gomashie urged the ministry to pay attention to the creative arts.  

She said, “so far, I think our ministry, this is not to bash anybody, our ministry focuses on Tourism more than it does on the creative arts and that must stop.”  

The Member of Parliament for Ketu South said the sector employs a lot of people in the value chain and for that reason, there is a need for more support from the government.  

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, renowned artiste manager, Ernest Kwasi, said,  the journey has been a tough and difficult one, but with the belief in their dream and the support of stakeholders, the launch and unveiling were successful.  

He said the event is a people choice awards scheme that seeks to champion Ghanaian music on the international scheme and presents other business, culture among other opportunities.    

According to him, the expectation is to award excellence and become the biggest music event in the diaspora.  

He said the main event would be held in London, on October 7, 2023 in the United Kingdom.   Ernest Kwasi expressed his appreciation to Tabea, Lawson Herbal, Adonko, Remit Choice Money Transfer, and Blue Jeans among others for coming on board to support the growth of Ghana music.  

The patrons were mesmerised by performances from Mabel Okyere, Perez Musik, Keche Joshua, Mo Spence, Lasmid, GodMother Shegah, FBS, and Epixode among others.    

  By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme