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Showing posts from March, 2025

As of March 20, 2025, here’s a snapshot of what’s trending in music in Ghana based on current sentiment and available insight

As of March 20, 2025, here’s a snapshot of what’s trending in music in Ghana based on current sentiment and available insights: Afrobeats and Highlife continue to dominate the Ghanaian music scene, with artists blending these genres with modern influences like Amapiano and Hip-Hop. Recently released tracks from mid-March are gaining traction, reflecting the vibrant New Music Friday culture. Songs like Cina Soul’s “ Did I Lie ,” M.anifest’s “ NRGAT ,” Darkovibes ’ “ Toxic Traits ,” and Kelvyn Boy’s “ Break It ” are likely still buzzing due to their fresh appeal and artist popularity. These releases showcase soulful vibes, lyrical depth, and danceable beats that resonate with Ghanaian audiences. Black Sherif remains a heavyweight, with his emotive and genre-blending tracks like “ Oh No ” potentially still lingering in playlists, alongside cuts from his 2022 album The Villain I Never Was , which dominated 2023 charts. King Promise’s “Terminator” (featuring Young Jonn), an Amapiano-inf...

Dope Nation and DJ Sliming Trade Shots Ahead of the 2025 Music Awards

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  As the 2025 music awards season approaches, the Ghanaian music scene is heating up—not just with anticipation for the nominations, but with a brewing feud that’s got fans buzzing. At the center of the drama are the dynamic duo Dope Nation and the outspoken DJ Sliming, who have been going back and forth on X, throwing subtle (and not-so-subtle) jabs over Dope Nation’s apparent stance on the upcoming Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA). With tensions rising and opinions flying, this clash is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about preludes to the awards. The Spark: DJ Sliming Questions Dope Nation’s Absence It all kicked off on March 15, 2025, when DJ Sliming took to X to express his confusion over Dope Nation’s absence from the TGMA nomination chatter. “@GhDopeNation sup ma broskis didn’t y’all girl for the TGMA ??? I’m confused no nomination 😳,” he posted, seemingly puzzled by the lack of buzz around the twin brothers, Micheal and Tony Boafo, known for their infectious beats...

King Paluta’s Petition to Telecel Ghana Music Awards: The Case for "Makoma

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On March 18, 2025, the Ghanaian music scene buzzed with news that King Paluta’s management team had formally petitioned the board of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) regarding the exclusion of his hit song "Makoma" from the 2025 nominations. The petition, which has sparked widespread discussion among fans and industry stakeholders, highlights the song’s massive popularity and cultural impact, raising questions about the awards’ selection process. As one of Ghana’s most celebrated artists in recent years, King Paluta’s plea for reconsideration has reignited debates about fairness, transparency, and the criteria for recognition in the country’s premier music awards. #### The Rise of "Makoma" Released on July 5, 2024, "Makoma" quickly became a sensation, blending contemporary highlife with hiplife and Afrobeats influences. Produced by Khendi Beatz, the track showcases King Paluta’s signature lyrical depth and vocal versatility, striking a chord with list...

Cina Soul’s Debut Album "Did I Lie" – A Soulful Triumph Hits the Airwaves

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On March 14, 2025, Ghanaian singer-songwriter Cina Soul unveiled her highly anticipated debut album, Did I Lie , a project that has already set the music scene ablaze with its soulful resonance and genre-blending brilliance. Released under Universal Music Group, this 12-track masterpiece marks a significant milestone in Cina Soul’s career, showcasing her evolution as an artist and her ability to weave raw emotion into captivating melodies. Available now on all major streaming platforms, Did I Lie  is more than just an album—it’s a journey through love, heartbreak, and healing that promises to leave an indelible mark on listeners worldwide. A Star-Studded Collaboration One of the standout features of Did I Lie  is its impressive lineup of collaborators, bringing together some of Africa’s most celebrated musical talents. The album boasts features from heavyweights like Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, Mr Drew, O’Kenneth, OliveTheBoy, Sefa, TiTi Owusu, and Nigeria’s Lifesize Teddy, with pro...

A Sneak Peek into the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards: Categories and Nominees Unveiled

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The Ghanaian music scene is buzzing with excitement as the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) gears up for another spectacular celebration of talent, creativity, and cultural pride. On March 15, 2025, the official nominees were announced live on TV3 and streamed across TGMA’s social media platforms, revealing a stellar lineup of artists vying for honors in various categories. With the awards night scheduled for May 3, 2025, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, let’s dive into the key categories and the gifted artists nominated for this year’s TGMAs, reflecting the vibrant diversity of Ghana’s music industry. Celebrating Ghanaian Music Excellence Organized by Charterhouse Productions, the Telecel Ghana Music Awards—formerly the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards—has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s entertainment landscape since 1999. Now in its 26th year, the TGMAs continue to honor the best in genres like highlife, hiplife, Afrobeats, gospel, reggae, and more. The...

Is King Paluta’s Hit “Makoma” a Profane Pawn in Ghana’s Cultural Politics?

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King Paluta’s “ Makoma ” took Ghana by storm in 2024, a hiplife anthem that climbed charts, packed dance floors, and even became a campaign staple for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). With over four million YouTube views and a melody that’s still echoing through Accra’s streets, it’s hard to deny its reign as a cultural juggernaut. But now, the song’s caught in a political crossfire—branded “ profane ” by critics like former Tourism Minister Mark Okraku-Mantey and snubbed by the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA). Is this a legit callout, or a symptom of Ghana’s tangled dance between entertainment and politics? The Profanity Debate: What’s the Fuss? “ Makoma ,” meaning “ my heart ” in Twi, is a love-soaked track with Paluta’s signature blend of rap and soulful crooning. Yet, Okraku-Mantey, a music industry veteran turned NPP insider, flagged it as unfit for public endorsement—specifically citing the phrase “wo sisi fia no,” which he claims references female anatomy in a way too crude...

Why Sarkodie Missed Out on TGMA Artist of the Year: A Political Power Play?

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The Ghana Music Awards season is heating up, and the buzz around the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) has already sparked debates. One headline stands out: Sarkodie, the rap titan who’s dominated the scene for over a decade, might not be in the running for Artist of the Year in 2025. For a man who’s snagged the title twice (2010 and 2012) and was crowned Artiste of the Decade in 2019, this feels like a seismic shift. But is it just about the music—or is there a political undercurrent at play? Let’s unpack why Sarkodie’s apparent snub could be more than a creative critique. The 2024 Output: Music or Momentum? First, let’s look at the surface. Sarkodie’s 2024 wasn’t silent—he dropped tracks like " Otan ," a reflective banger that flexed his lyrical chops. Yet, some suggest it didn’t hit the heights of past anthems like " Adonai " or " You Go Kill Me. " Competitors like Stonebwoy, King Promise, and rising star King Paluta reportedly outshone him with bi...

Black Stars Set to Shine: Previewing Ghana’s Upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualification Matches

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As the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup winds through its crucial stages, Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, are gearing up for two pivotal qualification matches this March. With the tournament set to be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the Black Stars are determined to secure their fifth World Cup appearance. This month, they face Chad and Madagascar in what promises to be a defining moment in their qualification campaign. Here’s everything you need to know about these upcoming clashes. The Stakes Are High Ghana finds itself in a competitive spot in Group I of the African qualifiers. Currently sitting second with nine points, level with group leaders Comoros, the Black Stars are in a strong position but have no room for complacency. With only the group winners guaranteed a ticket to the World Cup, every match is a must-win. The team’s recent failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has only fueled their hunger to redeem themselves on the global stag...

The Buzz is Building: What to Expect from the 2025 Telecel Ghana Music Awards

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As the calendar flips to mid-March 2025, the Ghanaian music scene is buzzing with anticipation for one of its most celebrated events—the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA). With the 26th edition fast approaching, slated for May 3, 2025, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre, fans, artists, and industry insiders are eagerly awaiting what promises to be another unforgettable night of music, glamour, and recognition. Today, March 16, 2025, marks a pivotal moment as the nominees have just been unveiled, setting the stage for a thrilling countdown to Ghana’s biggest music night. Here’s a sneak peek into what we can expect from this year’s TGMAs. A Night of Prestige and Celebration The Telecel Ghana Music Awards, formerly known as the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, have been a cornerstone of Ghana’s entertainment landscape since their inception in 1999. Organized by Charterhouse, the event has evolved over the years into a dazzling showcase of the country’s rich musica...

Minimum Capital Requirement for Establishing Universal Banks and Development Finance Institutions.

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Dr Gideon Boako (MP, Tano North Constituency I have received numerous inquiries regarding whether the minimum paid-up capital requirements for establishing Universal Banks and Development Finance Institution  are the same. These questions have arisen following the government’s announcement of plans to establish a Women Development Bank  with a budgetary allocation of GH¢U50 million .   I fully support the initiative to establish the Women Development Bank  and sincerely hope that the government implements it effectively, in line with the expectations of many Ghanaians.   For the purpose of public education and clarification, I am providing the following insights into the minimum paid-up capital requirements  for the establishment of Universal Banks and Development Finance Institutions .   1. Minimum Capital Requirement for Universal Banks In accordance with Section 28 (1) of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), ...

Kofi Adoma’s Injury – A Visual Journey of Resilience Of A Ghanaian Journalist

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Kofi Adoma’s eye injury from the Kwafie Festival in December 2024 . Ghanaian journalist Kofi Adoma Nwanwani’s life changed in December 2024 at the Kwafie Festival in Dormaa. Hit in the eye during a musketry display, he’s been fighting for recovery since then. Here’s the story – Kofi in his element was always in the thick of it. Last December, that passion put him in harm’s way at Dormaa Ahenkro a suburb in Ghana. It went down during the musket firing – a tradition gone wrong. Gunpowder or a stray projectile hit his face. The footage below shows  moment, he was shot in the eye at the scene. There’s  blood when he sneezes, partial blindness. He broke down saying, “I thought this could’ve been my funeral.” https://youtu.be/bwnTvYMi4Bw His wife, Nana Abena, shared a video when kofi was flown to Dubai from a Ghanaian hospital for further treatment. The fight for his sight continues. https://youtu.be/cdHdD_QTvGM Footage of Kofi’s emotional press conference, tears in his good eye, ti...

IMF Rejects Ghana’s Renegotiation Bid Of $3bn

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As of the current date, March 14, 2025, there is no conclusive evidence from official sources, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the Ghanaian government, confirming that the IMF has outright "canceled" Ghana's $3 billion renegotiation bid. However, recent posts on X from March 13, 2025, suggest a narrative that Ghana’s attempt to renegotiate its $3 billion IMF program has failed, with some users citing a UK-based research firm, Fitch Solutions, as the source of this claim. These posts indicate sentiment or speculation circulating on social media but lack detailed substantiation or official confirmation. The $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement was originally approved by the IMF Executive Board on May 17, 2023, to support Ghana’s economic recovery, with disbursements occurring in tranches (e.g., an initial $600 million).  Ghana’s President-elect John Dramani Mahama, who took office in January 2025, had expressed intentions to review or reneg...

President John Mahama’s Hypocrisy Exposed: Bloated Government Expenditure at the Presidency While Ghanaians Struggle

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The hypocrisy of John Dramani Mahama and the NDC government has once again been laid bare. During his campaign, Mahama loudly criticized President Nana Akufo-Addo for running a bloated government, promising a lean and efficient administration. Yet, in just three months, Mahama is proving to be the biggest spender in Ghana’s history; hoarding billions at the Office of Government Machinery (OGM) while Ghanaians struggle with economic hardship. GH¢40 Billion More in Spending: Where Is the Money Going? The 2025 budget exposes Mahama’s shocking GH¢40 billion increase in government expenditure. What happened to the Mahama who claimed he would cut waste and spend wisely? Instead, his administration is concentrating massive amounts of taxpayer money at the presidency while refusing to invest in jobs, infrastructure, and social welfare. The Office of Government Machinery: A Money-Sucking Black Hole Under Mahama’s budget, the Office of Government Machinery (OGM) alone has been allocated a stagge...