Unravelling data behind 2025 TGMA nominations

The Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) is back with its 26th edition. This event is a highlight of Ghana's music scene. The announcement of nominees has sparked excitement and controversy.

The TGMA symbolizes musical achievement in Ghana. Some fans celebrate their favorite artists' nominations. Others are confused by notable omissions and inconsistencies.

**Understanding the Nomination Process**

It’s important to understand how the TGMA nomination process works. The awards honor exceptional artistry and technical skill. A panel of judges reviews submissions to create a shortlist. This year, new categories like Best Urban Gospel Music were introduced. The awards aim to stay fresh and relevant.

**Omissions, Commissions & Inconsistencies**

Every year, nominations lead to debates about omissions and inconsistencies. This year is no different, as fans express their opinions. However, there is often a method behind the chaos. We will explore the nomination process and public reactions in this article.

**The Raw Numbers**

This year's TGMA will recognize 35 individuals and groups across various categories. There are 12 Song Awards, 8 Artiste Awards, 11 Technical Awards, 2 honorary awards, and 2 Initiative Recognitions. In total, there are 28 competitive awards involving around 167 candidates. King Promise leads with 10 nominations, followed by Stonebwoy with 9.

**What the Numbers Say**

The numbers reveal troubling trends for women in music. It seems unlikely that any woman will win an award this year. The industry needs affirmative action initiatives to support women artists.

Additionally, the way popularity is measured needs reevaluation. Black Sherif received many nominations but lacked a major hit song this year. Streaming data may not accurately reflect true popularity among artists.

Moreover, aside from Best Video and Best Collaboration categories, no artist was nominated twice in any category this year. This raises questions about fairness in representation based on streaming numbers alone.

**Records**

This year's TGMA sets records both positively and negatively. Team Eternity received the highest number of nominations ever for a Gospel group—8 in total. Conversely, female representation is at its lowest at just over 24%. However, the ceremony will present a record high of 34 awards this year.

**Important Notices**

To clarify distinctions between gospel categories, "Traditional" was added to official flyers for Best Traditional Gospel Song. If intentional or not, this choice could confuse audiences regarding its meaning in Ghanaian music.

Releasing nominations with more context could help reduce rumors and speculation surrounding them. Transparency can preserve credibility while minimizing drama during the event.

**Towards a More Inclusive and Transparent Scheme**

The TGMA remains Ghana's most prestigious music award event today. To maintain relevance and respectability, it must address public concerns effectively. Improving transparency can ensure deserving talent receives recognition.

As we await the main event eagerly, let’s hope TGMA considers these criticisms seriously for future improvements.