The 15th annual edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards took place on 3 May at the Accra International Conference Centre. Artistes such as Guru, Kwabena Kwabena, Daasebre Dwabena, Cindy Thompson, Sonnie Badu and OJ performed there.

As some of you know, I live in Amsterdam. I watched the event live on internet through GTV. It is one of Ghana’s oldest tv stations. The broadcasting corporation  stopped streaming online around 1:40 a.m. Ghana time (3.40 .a.m Holland time). Gh One Entertainment Television, which is another Ghanaian tv station, was showing the event on tv in Ghana. Unfortunately, they don’t have a link to watch their programmes online.

In this review, you will get to know some of my opinions on what occurred during the event.

Castro and Kofi Kinaata did a great peformance. Unfornately, Asamoah Gyan wasn’t there to perform the song ‘Odo Pa’ together with them. They won the Highlife Song of The Year for the song ‘Odo Pa’.

Before Guru came on stage, there were some technical hitches. A number of songs had to be played twice before he actually performed.  Many people were jamming to his songs and they were singing along as well. It was such a beautiful thing to see. When the song ‘Azonto Boys’ was played, I actually thought Liwin was going to come on stage when his part came.  Guru won the Hiplife Song of the year with the song ‘Boys Abr3’.

Shatta Wale won Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year for the song ‘Dancehall King’. I actually screamed with joy when his name was mentioned! He deserved it. Unfornately, he wasn’t there to pick up his award but someone else did.  He also won the Artist of the Year award.

The performance of Ghanaian gospel musician OJ was very powerful. He has such a beautiful voice and many enjoyed his performance.

Cindy Thompson’s performance was also good. She sang some of her hits from back in the day in the early 2000s. It reminded me of when I was living in Ghana at the time.

Highlife artiste Daasebre Dwamena did a great performance as well. He sang some of his hits from back in the day as well. I enjoyed it too!

What I didn’t quite comprehend was why some  awards were picked up by some people on behalf of some artistes while they were present to perform. I heard that those artistes  were preparing themselves for the performance. It’s the first I have seen that.

I have never seen an artiste get up from his seat to perform after it was immediately announced that he/she would perform next. That is exactly what Iyanya did. In my opinion, it’s not professional. He could’ve come from backstage like the rest of the artistes. I don’t have anything against Iyanya though.

The most talked about celebrity couple in Ghana, Elikem and Pokello were engaged that night! They were to present the award for Best Collaboration of the Year which was won by Kwabena Kwabena featuring Samini for the song ‘Adult Music’. Elikem was praising Pokello. He said that he wants to spend the rest of his life making beautiful clothes for her. To everyone’s surprise, he kneeled down on one leg, presented a ring to her and asked: “Pokello, will you marry me?” I didn’t see that coming! It took a while before Pokello gave an answer. She said ‘Yes’! I’m so happy for them! They are such a great couple .

What did you think of  theVGMAs? Who’s performances did you enjoy?

Guru

Bukom Banku & Amanda Jissih

Ayittey Powers