The Palms Convention Centre at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel was ablaze with glitz, and electrifying performances as the 26th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) celebrated its winners in an exclusive event dubbed "Nite with AOTY" on Friday, June 6, 2025.

The night was not just about music—it was also a night of honour and legacy, with veteran journalist and cultural icon Nanabanyin Dadson taking home the prestigious Titan Award for his immense contributions to Ghana’s music and arts ecosystem. 

This award was presented by the CEO of Charterhouse, Mrs. Theresa Ayoade, who lavished praise on Dadson, highlighting his invaluable contributions to the industry and to the Ghana Music Awards scheme since its inception.

Nanabanyin Dadson is a distinguished Ghanaian journalist, arts critic and educator whose influential career spans over three decades. His work has left a lasting imprint on Ghana’s creative and cultural landscape – particularly in the areas of music journalism, arts criticism, and cultural tourism.

A graduate of the University of Ghana with a degree in English and a diploma in Performing Arts, Mr Dadson further pursued postgraduate studies in African Studies and Communication. He began his journalism career as an arts reporter and columnist with The Mirrorand Daily Graphic, before becoming Editor of Graphic Showbiz. 

Under his leadership, the paper rose to prominence as Ghana’s foremost publication dedicated to entertainment, music and the creative arts.

Throughout his career, Mr Dadson has consistently championed the arts and tourism sectors, using his platform to advocate for greater visibility, understanding and appreciation of Ghana’s rich cultural heritage.

His commentary and reportage helped elevate cultural tourism into national conversation, encouraging the public and policymakers alike to recognise its value.

His work has been published in a range of national and international outlets – including West Africa Magazine, African Concord, Africa Magazine, Africa Asia, and the Torino Film Festival Magazine – and cited in academic publications such as Africa Cinema, Politics and Culture by Manthia Diawara. 

He also contributed to landmark publications including Jubilee Ghana – A 50-Year News Journey Through Graphic, the Journalism Style Book, and the Journalism Policy Guide for the Graphic Communications Group.

Widely acknowledged as the only arts journalist of his time with both academic and practical grounding in the arts, Mr Dadson brought critical depth, eloquence and clarity to his writing. His stated mission – to move the arts from the margins and reposition them as a serious and essential part of public discourse – has been largely realised, due in no small part to his pioneering efforts.

Now serving as Head of the Department of Journalism, Visual and Digital Communication at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra, he continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of media practitioners. He has also delivered lectures at institutions such as New York University (Ghana), the Ghana Institute of Journalism, and BlueCrest College.

His contributions have been recognised with several awards – including the Ministry of Information’s Artswriter Prize (1986, 1988), the Ghana Journalists Association’s Arts & Culture Writer of the Year (1996), and the GJA Recognition Award for Journalism (2004).

Nanabanyin Dadson remains a towering figure in Ghanaian cultural journalism – a passionate advocate for the arts and tourism, and a custodian of Ghana’s creative legacy.

Receiving the Titan Award, Dadson was celebrated as a true custodian of Ghana’s creative legacy, whose work has elevated cultural tourism and arts discourse in the nation.  

The event also recognised two other outstanding personalities: 

1. Opoku Sanaa – Instrumentalist of the Year

A renowned bassist and music director, Sanaa has performed globally, from Expo 2020 Dubai to the Coca-Cola Arena, and worked with top artists like Joe Mettle, Diana Hamilton, and Cwesi Oteng. His 2024 album, "It’s Time", showcases his genre-defying talent, solidifying his place among Africa’s finest instrumentalists.

2. Susuma Pan-African Dance & Music Ensemble – Traditional Artiste of the Year 

Founded in 1991 by Nana Kwame Dadzie, this award-winning ensemble has taken Ghanaian traditional music and dance to global stages, preserving and promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage.  

Hosted by the charismatic Andy Dosty, who doubled as the DJ for the evening, the event was a perfect blend of intimate performances, industry networking, and award presentations.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as King Promise, the reigning Artiste of the Year, delivered a thrilling live performance, cementing his status as one of Ghana’s finest musical exports.  

Fresh off his Artiste of the Year win at the 26th TGMA, King Promise thrilled the audience with a soulful performance, after which he was presented with plaques for all his awards. 

Other artists who were present to received their TGMA plaques are OliveTheBoy, King Paluta, Team Eternity, Beeztrap KOTM, Tulenkey, Empress Gifty, Banini, Peewezel and Epixode.

The night also featured performances from Scott Evans (Urban Gospel Artist & TGMA nominee), Titi Owusu (TGMA Female Vocal Performance Nominee) and Lali x Lola (TGMA Group of the Year Nominee)  

Robert Klah, Head of Public Events & Communications, used the occasion to announce the TGMA Music Summit, scheduled for June 21, 2025, at the British Council in Accra. The summit promises to be a hub for industry insights, networking, and growth discussions.  

The Charterhouse-produced Nite with AOTY, supported by TV3, Closeup, Guinness Ghana, British Council, and Telecel, was an unforgettable celebration of music and legacy.

With high-energy performances and heartfelt moments, one cannot help but chant the phrase: Long live Ghana music!

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The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.