VGMA – NO HONOUR FOR MEDIA

Some observers have questioned why the organizer of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, (VGMA), Charterhouse has failed over the years to recognize the contributions of the media with, at least, honorary awards for music journalists, broadcasters and radio disc jockeys who promote Ghanaian music.

The Chairman of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Board, Nii Ayite Hammond, in response to the question, said: “For now, the focus is on the artistes and those who are directly involved in the creation of music.

That is why, for instance, we have dropped the award for The Executive Producer of the Year, which was a very prominent award from the inception of the event”.

He said, the radio disc jockeys had raised the issue in the past and if the point is made strongly and it comes to the “table” of the VGMA board as a public concern, “We may look at, why not?”
Meanwhile, after the huge hype plus the deafening controversy that followed the threat by popular dancehall singer, Shatta Wale to boycott the 15th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Charterhouse finally staged a big show at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday.

Incidentally, Shatta carried out his threat and stayed away from the event. That, however, did not stop him from picking three awards including the two top honours, Song of the Year, “Dancehall King,” and Artiste of the Year. The third one was the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year.

Days after the VGMA, rumours had it that Shatta’s awards, which were received on his behalf by “a certain lady” at the ceremony, were “missing”.

The Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) on Tuesday issued a statement to clear the air. “It has come to the notice of the Musicians Union of Ghana, news making the rounds that Shatta Wale’s awards are missing,” the statement said.

“We wish to state that all the three awards are with MUSIGA and not missing as reported”.
The statement explained that Shatta Wale, who is a member of MUSIGA, had asked the President of the union to pick any award he may win at the event on his behalf since he was not going to be able to attend the show.

The lady who received Shatta Wale’s awards was a special guest of MUSIGA, who is also a big fan of Shatta Wale and the Shatta Movement.

The union said the lady, whose name, MUSIGA failed to mention “is a very respectable and honourable person and we wish to apologise for any harm caused her. Meanwhile, MUSIGA has made arrangements for Shatta Wale to pick up his awards.

The full list of winners is as follows; Gospel Song of  The Year, OJ –  with the song, “Maye se mo pen”, Highlife Song Of The Year, Castro –( Odo pa), Afropop Song Of The Year, Fuse ODG – (Million Pound Girl), Hip Hop Song Of The Year, Sarkodie – Lies (Feat. Lil’ Shaker), Hiplife Song Of The Year, Guru – (Boys Abre), Gospel Artiste Of The Year – Sonnie Badu, Highlife Artiste Of The Year, Kwabena Kwabena, Hiplife/Hip Hop Artiste Of The Year, Sarkodie – (Down on One), African Artiste Of The Year, Davido, Best Collaboration Of The Year, Kwabena Kwabena / Samini – (Adult Music), and Best Video Of The Year, Knii Lante – (Baby Take Good Care).

The award for Best Female Vocal Performance went to Efya, Best Male Vocal Performance of The Year, Sonnie Badu, Best Rapper of The Year, Sarkodie, Best Group of the Year, R2Bees, New Artiste of the Year, Joey B, Album of the Year, Sarkodie – (Sarkology).