The night was nothing short of magical as stars lit up the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre for the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), where music, glamour, and passion collided in a celebration of excellence.
Headlining the night was Afrobeats sensation King Promise, who took home the coveted Artiste of the Year award, beating out some of Ghana’s biggest musical heavyweights including Stonebwoy, Joe Mettle, Black Sherif, King Paluta, Team Eternity, and Kwaku Smoke.
King Promise, born Gregory Bortey Newman, has had an extraordinary year, and his win comes as no surprise to many. With hit songs like “Paris”, and his critically acclaimed album “True to Self”, he dominated charts and hearts alike. In addition to Artiste of the Year, he also bagged Album/EP of the Year, Afropop Song of the Year, and Afropop/Afrobeats Artiste of the Year, cementing his place as a powerhouse in Ghana’s music industry.
Another unforgettable highlight of the night was the emotional tribute paid to Yaw Sarpong and the Asomafo Band, recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award. For decades, Yaw Sarpong has been a towering figure in Ghanaian gospel music. From the timeless “Wo Haw Ne Sen” to the soul-stirring “Awurade Na Aye”, his music has brought hope and healing to countless souls. The award was a moment of reflection and gratitude for a legacy built on faith, inspiration, and musical excellence.
The ceremony featured powerful performances, stunning fashion, and electric energy from fans and celebrities alike. In total, 32 awards were handed out, recognizing talent across genres and disciplines. Here’s a quick look at some of the night’s biggest winners:
Top Awards
Artiste of the Year – King Promise
Lifetime Achievement Award – Yaw Sarpong and the Asomafo Band
Album/EP of the Year – True to Self by King Promise
Most Popular Song of the Year – Aseda by King Paluta
Record of the Year – Can I Live by Ayisi
Genre Categories
Best Reggae/Dancehall Artiste – Stonebwoy
Best Hiplife/Hip-hop Artiste – Kweku Smoke
Highlife Artiste of the Year – Fameye
Afrobeats Song of the Year – Asylum by OliveTheBoy
Gospel Artiste of the Year – Joe Mettle
Traditional Gospel Song – Watch Me by Empress Gifty
Collaborations
Collaboration of the Year – Lomo Lomo by KiDi ft. Black Sherif
International Collaboration – The Doing of the Lord by Diana Hamilton ft. Mercy Chinwo
Other Notable Wins
Songwriter of the Year – Kofi Kinaata (Saman)
Best New Artiste – Beeztrap KOTM
Group of the Year – Team Eternity Ghana
Best Video – Jejereje by Stonebwoy
Producer of the Year – Khendi Beatz (Aseda)
As the curtains fell, it was clear that Ghana’s music industry continues to evolve, diversify, and inspire. The 26th TGMA not only celebrated today’s stars but also paid tribute to those whose shoulders they stand on.
Story by Obaapa Janee/ ahotoronline.com
