The Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) marked 25 years of promoting music, arts, and culture in grand style at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre last Saturday. With Stonebwoy winning the highest award – Artiste of the Year, the eventful night was a celebration of genre-bending performances, history-making wins and legendary comebacks.
Headline sponsor, Telecel Ghana, presented two awards for its sponsored categories with King Promise’s Terminator winning the Telecel Most Popular Song of the Year and Eugene Zuta receiving the Music for Good award, recognising the gospel musician’s advocacy against human trafficking.
Chief Executive of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai who presented both awards together with Director of Consumer Business Unit, David Umoh said the telco is deeply passionate about connecting with and celebrating Ghanaian creativity and positive change through music.
“Under Telecel, we have broadened the social impact category for rewarding Music for Good. This will go to an artiste who is going beyond their craft to promote positive social change.”
The night took a nostalgic trip with performances by T-blaze, Mzbel, Okyeame Kwame, Akatakyie, and Reggie Rockstone, taking audiences down memory lane and reminding everyone of Ghana’s rich hiplife history since the inception of the awards scheme in 1999.
Legendary highlife artist, Abrantie Amakye Dede received the Lifetime Achievement Award, surprising guests with a spontaneous and engaging live performance after receiving the accolade. In a powerful tribute, Kwabena Kwabena, Akwaboah, Eno Barony, Episode and Fameye performed amazing renditions of Amakye Dede’s hit songs to celebrate the highlife veteran’s enduring influence in the music industry.
Hosted by Naa Ashorkor and Chris Attoh, the TGMAs also witnessed riveting performances by Efya, Mr. Drew, the Band Fra, Stonebwoy, Kuami Eugene, King Promise, Nacee, Amerado and King Paluta among others.
Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy emerged as the night’s biggest winner, clinching the coveted Artist of the Year award alongside six other trophies including Reggae/Dancehall Artiste, Songwriter of the Year, International Collaboration, Best Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Other award winners include Sarkodie, OlivetheBoy, Kofi Kinaata, Amerado, Strongman, Davido, Kidi and Black Sherif.
The 25th edition of the TGMAs proved to be a night of celebration, not just for the winners, but for the history and tapestry of Ghanaian music. Being the headline sponsor of the awards scheme for the past 13 years, Ing. Obo-Nai in a video message said Telecel Ghana will keep supporting the awards to amplify local talents and connect passions in the creative arts industry. “Tonight, we celebrate culture, creativity, and music. Telecel has been associated with this initiative for the past 13 years and tonight we pledge our commitment to continue to support the creative industry,” she said.
The Telecel Red Room, the ultimate after-party destination of the TGMAs, surpassed expectations this year with a larger space, increased attendance, and non-stop partying till sunrise. The upgraded Telecel Red Room at the Grand Arena, open to VIP attendees and invited guests, set itself as the perfect opportunity for networking and socialising after the awards over expertly crafted cocktails, gourmet foods and energising music.
Organised by Charterhouse, the TGMAs remain Ghana’s biggest annual awards scheme for recognising outstanding and performing music talents across multiple genres.
