Entertainment
VGMA Commemorates World Music Day with 3rd National Music Summit
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
Entertainment
Redeemed Baptist Church congratulates trio
Three members of the Redeemed Baptist Church in Ogbojo – Emerita Professor Elizabeth Ardayfio-Schandorf, Mrs Florence Mangwe Hutchful and Mrs Comfort Owusu, were among 22 award recipients for their exceptional contribution to national development at the 10th Ghana Women of Excellence Awards ceremony held in Accra.
The trio were recognised for their exceptional performances in their respective field of endeavours.
Emerita Ardayfio-Schandorf is a seasoned geographer and Chairperson of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC), Mrs Hutchful comes in as the first President of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana and Mrs Owusu as the Executive Director of the Association of Rural Banks (ARB) Ghana.
The awards, held on the eve of the International Women’s Day, is a component of Ghana’s observation of the Day which was under the theme ‘Empowering the Ghanaian woman for National Development.”
The clergy and congregation of the Redeemed Baptist Church says Ayekoo to the award winners.
Entertainment
TGMA unveils nominees for 26th edition
Organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) have unveiled nominations for the 26th edition of the awards.
A ceremony to unveil the awards held last Saturday at the Grand Arena was filled with shocks, surprises, and excitement.
The ultimate category, Artiste of the Year will see, Kweku Smoke, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity, King Promise, Black Sherif, King Paluta and reigning champion, Stonebwoy.
King Paluta, King Promise and Stonebwoy
Best New Artiste of the Year, a key category for the emerging talents to make a mark will feature Lali X Lola, Arathejay, Rap Fada, Beeztrap KOTM, and Kwesi Amewugah.
Lovers of gospel music will have a tough time choosing Empress Gifty, Joe Mettle, Team Eternity, Piesie Esther, Diana Hamilton or MOG Music as the Gospel Artiste of the Year.
Medikal, Sarkodie, King Paluta, Black Sherif, Kweku Smoke, Beeztrap and Amerado will battle it out for the Best Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year crown.
A category which would generate controversy is the Best Rap Performance with a fierce contest between Sarkodie, Okyeame Kwame, Eno Barony, Lyrical Joe, Flowking Stone and Kweku Smoke.
There are other interesting categories like Highlife Song of the Year, Telecel Most Popular Song, Male and Female Vocalists of the Year among others up for grabs for the 26th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
The reigning Artiste of the Year, Stonebwoy was nominated in the same category again in addition to Album/EP of the Year – “Up and Running”, Best Reggae/Dancehall Song – “Psalm 23”, Best Music Video – “Jejereje”, Best Reggae Dancehall Artiste, International Collaboration of the Year – “Ekelebe” featuring OdumoduBlvck, “Jiggle And Whine” featuring Spice, and Most Popular Song – “Jejereje”.
This year’s edition of Ghana’s biggest music night comes off on May 3, 2025, at the Accra International
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
