Not enough numbers for VGMA Group of the Year nod - Robert Klah

It wouldn’t be a Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) if there was no controversy! Last weekend, Charterhouse released the list of nominees for the 2022 edition of the VGMA and as usual, the list stirred controversy, especially the removal of the Group of the Year category.

The Group of the Year has been one of the long standing categories in the VGMA so it was quite a surprise to find it excluded this year.

However, the Public Relations Officer of Charterhouse, Robert Klah, has explained to Graphic Showbiz that they just didn’t get enough numbers for nominations.

“The board did not have enough numbers for the Group of the Year category as they have had in the past and they didn’t have a choice but to scrap it from this year’s awards. That is the only reason that particular category is missing from this year’s awards.

“No malice intended but the numbers were just not there this year so the board thought it wise to do away with that category this year,” he said.

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Another issue that came up in the conversation was why Stonebwoy is included in this year’s awards, while Shatta Wale is clearly missing in the nominations.

“There are many dynamics to this but the point is, for you to participate, you must show some interest to be a part of the scheme, when we don’t have that, it is difficult for us to include you.

“Stonebwoy clearly showed interest in the scheme that is why he has been nominated, we couldn’t have included him if he had not shown any interest so that is why he is in there and Shatta Wale isn’t,” he stated.

It will be recalled that both Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were banned from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards a couple of years ago after they were engaged in some scuffle at the 20th edition of the scheme. The ban was lifted last year but the artistes both declined to be included in the event that year.

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Asked if the 3Music Awards is a threat to the VGMA, considering that it is only five years old but has made such a big impact on the entertainment scene, Robert Klah said, “You can’t ask someone from the Access Bank what happens at Ecobank so that is all I can say.”

On whether the current board of the VGMA is outmoded and need to be replaced with a more vibrant one, Robert Klah said no. “Not at all, they know the job and they are doing the job unless you want to tell me that someone in there doesn’t understand the job.

“They know their craft and they have been carefully selected to do the job which they are executing without any problem so I see no reason why they should be scrapped for another set of people,” he said.

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On what we should expect from this year’s event, Robert Klah said nothing but the best. “Now that the restrictions have been eased and we can go full capacity, we are exploring everything possible for an experience like never before.

“I don’t need to say much but this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards will definitely go down as one of the best since the inception of the awards over two decades ago, mark my words,” he said.