The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) board and the research team, have been at work; rigorously sifting through, meticulously reviewing, and carefully analyzing submissions and a verdict has been reached as the nominees list is ready for unveiling.

They made this disclosure on their official Instagram page noting that “The Big Announcement is happening this Saturday…”

Approximately 6 weeks after entry submissions closed; the biggest event in the Ghanaian Music and entertainment space is gearing up to make the “BIG ANNOUNCEMENT”. On Saturday the 3rd of April, the unveiling of Nominees will happen in 2 parts. From 11 am to 4 pm, three different categories will be announced every hour.

This will be follow a Nominees Announcement Show at 8 pm; where the final set of nominees will be unveil. Also, they will be announcing the event date. Similarly, they will announce what’s new for the event. The ceremony will see sizzling performances from various artists.

VGMA nominations and ban lift

It can be recalled that on 19th January 2021, a call was made to all Artiste, Music Producers; Beat Makers, Instrumentalists, and Stakeholders to submit their; works which fall within the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) calendar year – January 1st to December 31st, 2020.

Nonetheless, a few weeks later, the board lifted the indefinite ban placed on Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. According to a Press Statement, the artist could file nominations to be part of the upcoming award. However, they must do so before the 15th of February, the deadline set to close nominations. The statement further noted that other artists who collaborated; with them could also submit their works for nominations in this year’s edition of the VGMA.

However, Stonebwoy in reaction to the development registered his displeasure in the board’s decision without stakeholders. In a tweet, he noted that the right thing they should have done was to have had a meeting; with both artists before releasing their statement which suggested that the ban placed on them had been lifted.

VGMA during a pandemic

That notwithstanding, over the years, VGMAs has become an official award scheme rewarding and celebrating Ghanaian musicians for their excellence. Singing is nice and good

This year’s awards scheme becomes the 22nd edition. This follows the 21st one which saw Kuami Eugene winning the ultimate prize as the ‘Artiste of The Year’. He beat off competition from Sarkodie, Medikal, Kofi Kinaata, and Diana Hamilton.

It can be recalled that the 21st Vodafone Music Awards, was held at the Grand Arena Dome. Unlike the usual way the event has been organized, last year’s event took a different twist. The awards ceremony was held virtually on 28/29 August due to the COVID-19 pandemic.