TGMA organisers have embarrassed themselves over venue issues – Frimpong Ziega

Entertainment pundit Nana Frimpong Ziega has criticised organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards over the ongoing challenges surrounding the venue for this year’s event.

Speaking during a discussion on UTV’s United Showbiz on April 19, 2026, Ziega said the awards scheme, which has remained one of the most dominant in the music industry over the years, has brought embarrassment upon itself over the situation.

According to him, TGMAs remains one of the few award schemes in Africa that has maintained consistency and relevance for a long period.

However, he noted that recent developments regarding the venue have damaged the image of the organisers and the country as a whole.

“When we are talking about an award scheme that has dominated the industry for a long time and consistently, that will be TGMA. We cannot write award schemes in Africa without mentioning the Ghana Music Awards.

“Whatever has happened now has exposed them. They’ve embarrassed not only this country but themselves,” he stated.

Ziega further argued that the Minister would not allow organisers to use the venue because renovation works are expected to begin soon.

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He referenced government plans to rehabilitate the National Theatre and Conference Centre following the securing of a loan facility.

According to him, it was announced in November last year that the government had secured funding for the rehabilitation of the venue, which has since been declared a secure and restricted zone.

“The Minister will not allow them to go there and if he should do it, someone can even take them to court. They’re renovating the place. President Mahama went to China and he got a grant of $30 million. The $30 million project, we’re starting with renovation,” he shared.

He continued, “It was announced in November last year that the government has secured a loan for the rehabilitation of the National Theatre and Conference Centre. When they wanted to begin, they declared that place as a secured zone and a restricted zone.”

He added that organisers should have made alternative arrangements long before now, considering that the awards event was already approaching.

“We have a problem. You have an event coming up, make provision for it,” he added.

27th TGMA Venue Saga: Organizers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards have embarrassed themselves and the nation as a whole - Nana Frimpong Ziega#UnitedShowbiz pic.twitter.com/pTUuyzmzuv

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) April 19, 2026