The Board Chairman of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Nii Ayite Hammond has disclosed that over seven hundred (700) entries for the 18th edition of the scheme have been submitted.

According to him, board members will be sitting throughout the month of February to debate, discuss and ensure that deserving songs and artistes as determined by the tenets of the scheme earn their slots in the various categories for the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2017.

Mr. Hammond at a press conference explained that as happened last year, some of the entries came in for categories that do not exist in the scheme and it might seem that people either committed errors or tried to suggest them to the board.

He mentioned some of these categories as political song, Mix tape of the year, DJ of the year and others.

Nii Ayite Hammond commended musicians and music players for their hardwork.

He explained that some changes have been made with regards to the categories by the Board. He said some categories have been ADDED, RENAMED and RESTED in line with existing trends in the music industry.

This year’s Record of the Year will be adjudged by the Academy and Board as the most outstanding original song that was released during the year under review. According to the Board, the song may not have enjoyed huge success, but has quality artistic value.

Therefore, the Producer and Sound Engineer award will now be awarded to the Producer and Sound Engineer of the winning song of the Record of the year Award.

He noted that there will be no INDUSTRY AWARD for this year’s scheme.

“The Board will review entries to ascertain the viability of certain categories which have FAILED to grow and have STOPPED being competitive.”
Below is the 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Calendar.

VGMA UNSUNG Category Launch                                                –              February 15, 2017

Event launch and Nominees Announcement                               –              Friday, February 24, 2017

Voting Lines will officially Open                                                    –              Friday, February 24, 2017

Grand Party for Nominees at Kempinski Hotel                          –              Friday Night, February 24, 2017

Nominees JAM (Brong Ahafo, Sunyani)                                      –              Saturday, March 18, 2017

Highlife Music Night                                                                        –              Date on Hold

VGMA Night                                                                                      –              Saturday, April 8, 2017

Celebration Concert, Headlined by Artiste of the Year              –              Saturday, April 8, 2017

 Source: Kasapafmonline