GHANA HAULS NOMINATIONS IN AFRICA GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

Ghana’s gospel music industry last week received the great news that its artistes, a radio personality and two annual concerts have earned nominations in this year’s African Gospel Music Awards (AGMA), hauling over 25 in number. The awards ceremony, in its second year, will be held on July 9 at the Lighthouse Hall in London amidst a pomp celebration of live music ministrations from a rich line up of some anointed gospel music ministers from the continent and those based abroad. The Ghanaian artistes nominated include Cwesi Oteng, Nii Okai, Joyful Way Incorporated, Joe Mettle, Sonnie Badu, No Tribe, Cecilia Marfo, Ohemaa Mercy, Diana Hamilton, Royal Priesthood among others. Sonnie Badu and No Tribe lead the pack with four nominations each with gospel radio icon Fifi Folson (Sunny FM) and Impact Project’s annual Evolution Concert also receiving special nominations for Best Radio Presenter/Dj and Event of the Year respectively. Speaking to Charles Koranteng, Co-founder of AGMA and Public Relations Co-ordinator of AGMA 2011 from his London base on behalf of the organising team, he reiterated that, ‘We are extremely excited about the Africa Gospel Music Awards (2011), which appears to be growing from strength to strength. This year’s event has assumed an international dimension, which has always been our intention. We are looking forward to the 9th of July where the best of the best in African Gospel Music will gather to primarily appreciate and celebrate each other, but more importantly bless the name of our Heavenly Father. We are already receiving invitations from various countries wishing to host next year’s event, so this is truly an exciting time for us. African gospel music has finally arrived!’ The maiden event last year was a memorable one, however, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better as tickets are fast selling out and patrons from all over the world are confirming bookings to attend. The gospel music ministers billed for ministrations at the awards ceremony include Sonnie Badu, Eben, Uche Agu, Sinach, Kenny K’ore, RoofTop MC’s, Victizzle, Diana Hamilton, Mahali Selepe, Aaron T. Aaron, Rebecca and many more. Voting plays a huge role in getting artistes to eventually win their respective categories after technical considerations by a technical committee and thus fans are advised to visit the awards website, www.africagospelawards.com, and vote for their favourites. Voting began on May 20 and ends on June 24 so all Ghanaian gospel music lovers are encouraged to visit the page and vote for their own. Below is the detailed list of nominees and their respective categories: Best Song Bohye - No Tribe (Ghana) Adonai - Sonnie Badu (Ghana/UK) Halleluya - Lara George Ft Pat King Alitenda – Lisa Murayah Saluti – Daddy Owen Somore - Kenny K’ore Covenant - Rebecca Ft Uche My Love – Tolumide Geo Gabriel - Victory Agidigba - Tim Godfrey

Best Music Video Mercy - Cwesi Oteng (Ghana) Higher Praise- Joyful Way Inc (Ghana) Charles Granville - By My Side Rebecca Arthur - I Need You More Agidigba - Tim Godfrey and The X’treme Crew Saluti – Daddy Owen The Presence – Joe Praize Kwasa - Gboof

Best Gospel Album Bohye - No Tribe (Ghana) Hymnz Unlimited - Nii Okai (Ghana) Timeless One - Alexander Victor (UK) System Ya Kapungala - Daddy Owen (Kenya) Rebecca Malope – Ukuthula (South Africa) Awesome God - Aaron T. Aaron (Nigeria/UK) Pulpit Kwa Street - Juliani (Kenya) Racing Up – Paul Mwai – (Kenya) Worship in His Presence with Benjamin Dube – (South Africa)

Event of the Year Evolution 6 by Impact Project Ministries (Ghana) Harvest Praise 2011 with Rev Benjamin Dube (Ghana) Africa Worships with Sonnie Badu (Ghana/UK) The Big Church Day Out (UK) Groove Awards (Kenya) True Worshippers "A Night in His Presence" (USA) Lagos Experience (Nigeria)

Overall Best Male Artiste Sonnie Badu (Ghana/UK) Daddy Owen (Kenya) Benjamin Dube (South Africa) Joe Praize (Nigeria) Uche Agu (South Africa) Charles Granville (Nigeria) Eben (Nigeria) Fabrice Nzeyimana (Burundi) Aaron T. Aaron (UK) Kabelo Eric (Botswana)

Overall Best Female Artiste

Diana Hamilton (Ghana/UK) Ohemaa Mercy (Ghana) Cecilia Marfo (Ghana) Winnie Mashaba (South Africa) Lara George (Nigeria) Sinach (Nigeria) Emmy Kosgei (Kenya) Rebecca (UK) Toyin Motara (Nigeria)

Best Gospel Group No Tribe (Ghana) Royal Priesthood (Ghana) Obert Mazivisa & Trumpet Echoes (UK) Tribe of Judah Choir (USA) Tim Godfrey And Xtreme (Nigeria) Allen and Da New Wave (UK) Joyous Celebration (South Africa) Davison Band (UK) K-Stonez (Nigeria)

Best Gospel TV Programme Afrika Rising - Ohtv (UK) Praisetek Gospel Show The Glory Encore Show Olive TV – (UK) Praise Talk Show - Faith TV (UK) One Voice – NTV One Gospel – South Africa X 2 D - Nigeria Shine On – Channel O - Dstv

Best Gospel Radio Programme Habari Africa. Premier Gospel Radio (UK) P G Breakfast Premier Gospel Radio (UK) Gospel Sunday – Milele FM (Kenya) Praize Jams - Kool FM (Nigeria)

Best Gospel DJ/Presenter Fiifi Folson - Sunny FM (Ghana) Muyiwa Olarewaju - Premier Christian/Gospel Radio (UK) Dj Abbey Gee - Freelance DJ (UK) Dj Gosporella - (Nigeria)

Best Contribution to Africa Gospel Music

Adom Praize - Adom FM (Ghana) Rebecca Malope (South Africa) Evangelist David Bruno - Ppm Birmingham (UK) Praisetek Gospel Music Awards (Pgma) Bng Innovates (Nigeria) Lindlani Mkhezi of Joyous Celebration (South Africa) Watoto Children’s Choir (Uganda) Premier Gospel Radio (UK)

Discovery of the Year Cwesi Oteng (Ghana) Royal Priesthood (Ghana) Atta Boafo's (Ghana/UK) Emmanuella Bafoah-Moloney (Ghana/UK) Geo Gabriel Tolumide (USA) Gboof (Kwasa) (Nigeria) Motara (Nigeria) Outcry (Kingdom Of Swaziland)

Regional Awards Category

Best Artiste(s) (Europe) Sonnie Badu (Ghana/UK) Diana Hamilton (Ghana/UK) Master Don Papa Richie Lisa Muraya Rev Osei Kofi (Ghana) Rebecca Arthur

Gwendolynn Mukulu Chris Aaron T Aaron Muyiwa

Best Artiste(s) (USA) Albert Collingwoode Williams (Ghana) Kenneth Appiah (Ghana) Comfort Manyame K.Stonez Mictunes Tolumide The Tribe of Judah Choir Dee Jones (Elevated)

Best Artiste (West Africa) Joe Mettle (Ghana) No Tribe (Ghana) Cecelia Marfo (Ghana) Ohemaa Mercy (Ghana) Joe Praize Charles Granville Tim Godfrey Lara George Geo Gabriel Ibitayo Jeje Iyobo Van Lierop

Best Artiste (Southern Africa) Benjamin Dube Uche Agu Keke Phopholo Sfiso Ncwane Sechaba Solly Mahlangu Sipho Makhabane Winnie Mashaba

Best Artiste (East Africa) Fabrice Nzeyimana Alice Kamande Exodus-Uganda Christina Shusho Blessed Sisters Rwanda Gen. Manasseh Mathiang Joy Nkundiman Juliani Emmy Kosgei Moses "Qqu" Odhiambo Daddy Owen Marvellous *There were no nominations for Best Artiste (North Africa) and (Central Africa).