Accra: Following the unveiling of nominees for the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), a number of Ghanaian artistes have publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the process, citing issues ranging from snubs to lack of transparency.
According to Ghana Web, several key voices in the music industry have voiced their concerns. The duo Keche quickly registered their disappointment after missing out on nominations despite their visibility during the year under review. In a post made on X, Joshua and Andrew, who make up the Keche group, questioned why they were invited to the unveiling ceremony but received no nominations. They suggested that this situation raises concerns about fairness in the selection process.
Veteran rapper Kwaw Kese did not hold back in his criticism towards the organisers, describing the nomination process as confusing and unclear. In an X post, he wrote about the lack of transparency, likening the awards to a disorganized event. His remarks contribute to the ongoing debate about transparency in the scheme.
Medikal, despite earning nominations, also expressed reservations, insisting that he outperformed his peers within the year under review. He urged the TGMA board to base their decisions solely on merit without favoritism, suggesting his dissatisfaction with how top categories are evaluated.
Fast-rising artiste AratheJay has also joined the conversation, raising concerns about recognition. His team formally extended a petition to the TGMA board seeking clarification over exclusion in major nominations. They highlighted the exclusion of his album "The Odyssey" from the "Album/EP of the Year" category, his song "Put Am on God" from the "Best Rap Performance" category, and his "Cover Me" from the "Best Male Vocal Performance" category.