Ghana National Gospel Music Awards postponed

Following the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo on 31 January announced that the government was reinstating a ban on a number of public gatherings, including concerts, theatre performances, weddings and parties.

The 2021 GMGMAs were scheduled to take place on 20 February at the Accra International Conference Centre, and the development arrives on the heels of an announcement that the Steaman Group would take the reins as the awards’ main sponsor.

“We value the lives of our patrons and it’s important we postpone the event as we plan on a possible way to make it work for all of us,” GNGMAs CEO Peter Kwabena Dwobeng Sergio said. “We ask the public to follow all safety protocols during these trying moments and stay safe.”

He said voting was still in progress via the awards platform’s official website and encouraged the public to continue voting for their preferred nominees. A new date is expected to be communicated in due course.

Last month, Sergio told Music In Africa that preparations for this year’s awards had been both ”difficult and fun.”

“I do admit that things have not always gone as planned, but this is very usual in all human institutions. The board has also been very helpful, staying with us throughout the preparations, as have artists, the media and other stakeholders of the scheme,” he said.

Now in its fourth edition, the annual awards are run by Global Expert Recovery with a vision of recognising outstanding practitioners of gospel music in Ghana. This year’s ceremony will award music released in 2020.

Celestine Donkor leads the nominees with eight nods, followed by MOG, Diana Hamilton and Nacee with seven apiece, and Akesse Brempong with six.