The Ghana Music Awards, also known since 2024 by the sponsored name Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs),[2][3][4] formerly Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs),[5] is an annual music awards event in Ghana established in 1999 by a local event organizer and planner company known as Charter House to originally and primarily celebrate the "outstanding contributions of Ghanaian musicians to the growth and expansion of its associated industry".[6]

Ghana Music Awards
Current: 2024 Ghana Music Awards
The VGMA plaque for the annual "Artist of the Year" winner (2020–2023).
Awarded forOutstanding work in the Ghanaian music industry
CountryGhana
Presented byCharterHouse
First awarded1999; 25 years ago (1999)
Websitehttps://ghanamusicawards.com/ Edit this on Wikidata
Television/radio coverage
Network
Formerly:

Usually held between April and June, the event is broadcast locally on GHOne TV, GTV and/or TV3 and outside Ghana on Akwaaba Magic on satellite TV platform DStv and terrestrial TV platform GOtv.[7] Prior to the launch of the Akwaaba Magic channel in 2021, the event was broadcast outside Ghana on channels 155 and 198 on DStv and on channel 110 on GOtv.[1][8]

Trophy

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The Ghana Music Awards trophy has been awarded in different forms over the years; with the current one unveiled before the 2019 edition of the event. It consists of a Gold Star plaque with a circular hole and strings on opposite faces, mimicking a guitar.[9]

Artist of the Year

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The Artist of the Year award is the highest and most prestigious of the awards given at the event given to the artist(s) adjudged by the CharterHouse, the GMA Board and the general public as having the highest audience appeal, radio play, online streaming and popularity. The artist(s) must have a released hit single/album during the year under review to be eligible.[10] Past and present Artist of the Year award winners:

Locations

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The inaugural ceremony in 1999 was held at the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra until 2004 when it moved to the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), and it has been held there ever since. With the exception of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 editions of the event which were held at the Dome of the AICC, the event since the move to the AICC was held at its Main Hall until 2018. Since 2019, the event has been held at the Grand Arena (then/previously the New Dome) still at the AICC.

Ghana Music Awards Dates and Locations
# Year Date Venue Host(s) Reference(s)
1 1999 National Theatre of Ghana Kwami Sefa Kayi [17][18]
2 2001
3 2002 [19]
4 2003 8 March [20]
5 2004 13 March [21]
6 2005 1 May [22]
7 2006 4 March [23]
8 2007 6 May [24]
9 2008 25 April Samini and Doreen Andoh [25]
10 2009 4 April Main Hall of the Accra International Conference Center (AICC) Bice Osei Kuffour, Samini and Dentaa [26][27]
11 2010 10 April Kwasi Kyei Darwkah (KKD) [28]
12 2011 25 February Chris Attoh and Doreen Andoh [29]
13 2012 13 April The Dome of the AICC Chris Attoh and Benson Ohene Boateng [30]
14 2013 18 May Mildred Ashong (Eazzy) and Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD) [31]
15 2014 26 April [32]
16 2015 11 April Nathaniel Attoh and Joselyn Dumas [33][34]
17 2016 7 May Chris Attoh, Naa Ashorkor and DJ Black [35][36][37][38]
18 2017 8 April Anita Erskine [39]
19 2018 15 April John Dumelo & Berla Mundi [40]
20 2019 18 May The New Dome/Grand Arena of the AICC Kwami Sefa Kayi & Berla Mundi [41]
21 2020 28 & 29 August Day 1 – Giovani Caleb & Sika Osei

Day 2 – KOD & Berla Mundi

[42][43]
22 2021 25 & 26 June Day 1 – Giovani Caleb and AJ Akuoko-Sarpong

Day 2 – Berla Mundi, Giovani Caleb and Sika Osei

[44]
23 2022 9 April AJ Akuoko-Sarpong [45]
24 2023[46] 6 May Berla Mundi

The 23rd edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) Day 1 was held on Friday night, May 6, 2022.[47]

COVID-19 consequences

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In 2020, the event's precursor, the nominees jam, scheduled for April 4 at Jackson Park in Koforidua, was initially postponed and then cancelled to comply with a national directive on public gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.[48][49][50]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ As a result of an ignition of a questionable brawl between the entourages of Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Debrah, Ameyaw (6 May 2016). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards to air live on DStv and GOtv". Ameyaw Debrah. Archived from the original on 7 May 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Live Updates: 2024 Telecel Ghana Music Awards Nominees Unveiling | Ghana Music". 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  3. ^ "25th Ghana Music Awards: See full list of nominees".
  4. ^ GNA (2024-03-29). "Stonebwoy tops nominations for 25th Telecel Ghana Music Awards". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  5. ^ Postings, Lawrence (2023-03-22). "Nominees for 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards". Lawrence Postings. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  6. ^ "Ghana Music Awards Chalks 5 Years". GhanaWeb. 28 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  7. ^ Johnson, Reymond Awusei (2023-04-16). "5 top events Ghanaians uphold". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  8. ^ "List Of All VGMA Artiste Of The Year Winners From 1999 To 2023; Plus Who Has Won The Most Awards?". Thedistin. 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  9. ^ "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards- VGMAS Officially Opens Nominations For The 21st Edition". GH Gossip. 2 January 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Award Categories". VGMA 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  11. ^ "Shatta Wale wins Artist of the Year at 2014 VGMAs". Ameyaw Debrah. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Photos & Videos : Stonebwoy rules 2015 Ghana Music Awards, Sarkodie, Edem, Daddy Lumba, Pappykojo, and more win big!". Ameyaw Debrah. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  13. ^ "VGMA 2018: Ebony Reigns Crowned Artist Of The Year". Peace FM. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  14. ^ "VGMA@20: Organisers fail to announce 'Artist of the Year' due to Shatta, Stonebwoy fight". MyJoyOnline.com. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Kuami Eugene wins VGMA Artist of the Year 2020". MyJoyOnline. 30 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  16. ^ Otu-Aboagye, David (2023-05-07). "VGMA 2023: Blacko wins Artiste of The Year Award And Gets Fans Overly Excited". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  17. ^ "Meet all the winners of Ghana Music Awards since it started in 1999". GhanaWeb. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  18. ^ B, Erin (16 May 2013). "Who Will Host Ghana Music Awards 2013?". TwiMovies. Archived from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  19. ^ "National Music Awards 2002 Launched". GhanaWeb. 28 January 2002. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  20. ^ "Ghana Music Awards To Be Held Today". GhanaWeb. 30 November 2003. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  21. ^ "Ghana Music Awards 2004". GhanaWeb. 30 November 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  22. ^ "Seven Awarded At Ghana Music Awards 2005 Gala Nite". ModernGhana. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  23. ^ "Ghana Music Awards 2006 Makes History". GhanaWeb. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  24. ^ "2007 Ghana Music Awards-Batman Samini tops them all". ModernGhana. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  25. ^ Scaro, VJ (15 May 2013). "A Journey with Ghana Music Awards hosts – Who hosts the 2013 VGMA?". Ameyaw Debrah. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  26. ^ "Okyeame Kwame Wins Artist Of The Year". GhanaWeb. 7 April 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  27. ^ "The 2009 Ghana Music Awards nominees revealed". ModernGhana. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  28. ^ Mensah, Nii Atakora (3 February 2010). "2010 Ghana Music Awards date set". ModernGhana. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  29. ^ "Default Ghana Music Awards Festival 2011 Nominations To Be Released On February 25". Ghana Forum. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  30. ^ "2012 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards presented with prizes". ModernGhana. 13 June 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  31. ^ "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2013 And Its Full List Winners". ModernGhana. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  32. ^ Donkoh, Ebenezerv (23 April 2014). "2014 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Industry Awards on April 26". NYDJLive. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  33. ^ "VGMA 2015: Full List of Winners". Peace FM. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  34. ^ "Full list of winners at 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards". ModernGhana. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  35. ^ "Chris, Naa and DJ Black to host VGMA 2016". Citi FM. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  36. ^ Mawuli, David (15 February 2016). "VGMA 2016 VGMA Board begins categorisation process". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  37. ^ "Checkout VGMAs 2016 Full List of Winners". GhKings. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  38. ^ "Ghana Music Awards 2016 – EL wins Artist of the Year". GhKings. 9 May 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  39. ^ "VGMA2017: Full List Of Winners For 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards". GhEventPlus. 9 April 2017. Archived from the original on 13 February 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  40. ^ Ntumy, Elorm Kojo (9 April 2018). "Berla and John Dumelo to host VGMA". Graphic Showbiz. Graphic Online. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  41. ^ Hammond, Michael (19 May 2019). "VGMA 2019: Berla Mundi praises Sefa Kayi for his 'secret words' to her". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  42. ^ Lamptey, Edwin (28 August 2020). "List of Emcees for the 2020 edition of VGMAs leaked; big names drop". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  43. ^ Sagoe, Margaret (31 August 2020). "My VGMA Experience: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly". Kuulpeeps – Ghana Campus News and Lifestyle Site by Students. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  44. ^ Dadzie, Kwame (7 June 2021). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2021 scheduled for June 25–26". Citi FM. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  45. ^ Britton, Anthony (26 March 2022). "VGMA23: Check Out Nominations Producer Of The Year". Celebrity Buzz Ghana. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  46. ^ "2023 VGMA Review: The wins, performances, red carpet slayers and the lows". GhanaWeb. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  47. ^ "Winners full list for Ghana Music Awards 2022". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  48. ^ "VGMA awards nominees jam postponed". Graphic Online. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  49. ^ "Coronavirus: 2020 VGMA Nominees Jam cancelled". MyJoyOnline. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  50. ^ "2020 Ghana Music Awards' Nominees Jam postponed #VGMA21". VGMA 2024. 2020-03-18. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
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