Ghana: 2020 EMAs postponed to 22 November

The change, which was made public on Friday morning, is in compliance with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s declaration of seven days of national mourning after the death of former president Jerry John Rawlings.

The organisers said pushing back the event was “in solidarity with the [Rawlings] family in these difficult times.”

Voting has been extended to 20 November at 10am GMT and fans can vote for their favourite artists using the short code *135*136# across all local mobile networks.

Now in their second year, the EMAs were established to honour and highlight budding musicians in the most popular genres in the country, including gospel, highlife, hiplife, hip hop, reggae-dancehall, Afropop and traditional.

Among the shortlisted artists at this year’s event are Righteous Vandyke, Stonegyal, Shatta Berry and Calista, all of whom have been nominated in the Young Artist of the Year category.

Mikey Benzy, O’baya, Teflon Flexx, Lazzybwoy, Gab Tuu, Mani Mandela, Xupa, Khid Vybz and Iona are in the running for Afropop Artist of the Year, while B Bancy, Chuku Lion, Gyaldem Tish, iKofi, Euni Melo, Kophi Mystro, Kiaani, Trigger A, Renner and Larusso are among the Dancehall Artist of the Year nominees.

Naf Kassi, King Mondo, Efe Keyz, Ekow Marvel, Lution GH, Koo Kyei, Lyzzy Bae, Abochi, Naana Blu and Gyakie will battle it out in the Highlife Artist of the Year category.

The 2020 EMAs will be held virtually via the Kusstar YouTube channel. Apart from trophies, this year’s winners will receive a recording contract and paid promotion across social media, among other prizes.

For more information, visit the EMAs official website.