The Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) season is approaching, with artists across Ghana’s diverse music landscape positioning for recognition at the country’s premier music ceremony.

Following a year that industry observers describe as “nothing short of electric,” competition for honours is expected to be intense across multiple categories, from hip-hop and Afrobeats to gospel and highlife.

Leading Contenders

UK-based Ghanaian gospel singer Joseph Matthew has publicly expressed confidence in his reggae song “Love In You” for the Reggae Song of the Year category, reflecting the growing international dimension of Ghana’s gospel music scene.

Gospel musician Enuonyam has unveiled her album “Jesus Given,” adding to the competitive gospel field, while established names in the category continue to produce spiritually uplifting content for devoted audiences.

In the secular music space, artists including Black Sherif, King Paluta, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, KiDi, and Kuami Eugene have all released material that has resonated strongly with Ghanaian audiences and streaming platforms.

2025 Music Highlights

The year leading to TGMA 2026 saw Ghana’s music story written across streaming giants Spotify, Apple Music, and Boomplay, where local artists not only deepened their hold on domestic listeners but expanded the country’s sonic footprint internationally.

Gyakie’s Afro-fusion sound earned her 328 million Spotify streams, with international features extending her reach. KiDi’s romantic Afropop formula continued to perform globally, building on the momentum of his international breakthrough “Touch It.”

Stonebwoy’s blend of reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats attracted devoted global audiences, while Kweku Smoke’s growing numbers highlighted the country’s increasing appetite for drill and trap music.

Production Excellence

Producer Afrolektra has emerged as a potential recipient of production honours, with his signature fusion of African percussion, soulful melodies, and electronic dance energy defining some of 2025’s most successful releases.

His work on Black Sherif’s “Iron Boy,” Gyakie’s “After Midnight,” and Omar Sterling’s “VTH 2″—all of which peaked at number one on Apple Music Ghana—demonstrates the behind-the-scenes excellence that contributes to artist success.

Industry Context

The TGMA represents not just artistic recognition but industry validation that can open doors to endorsement deals, international collaborations, and expanded audience reach.

Ghana’s richest musicians have demonstrated that success requires diversification beyond music income—building record labels, accumulating endorsements, and investing in unrelated businesses. TGMA recognition often serves as a catalyst for these expanded opportunities.

As the creative arts sector engages with government on industry reforms, the awards ceremony also provides a platform for discussion of challenges facing practitioners and opportunities for sectoral growth.

“Ghana’s music scene in 2025 has been nothing short of electric, with local artistes deepening their hold on listeners at home while expanding Ghana’s sonic footprint globally.”

— Industry analysis