The 27th edition of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards 2026 did not quietly arrive. It stormed into the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre with spectacle, confidence and enough glitter to light up half of Accra.
From emotional tributes and standout performances to questionable fashion choices and marathon-length scheduling, the night delivered exactly what Ghanaians have come to expect from the country’s biggest music event: glamour, drama and unforgettable entertainment.
The theme for the evening, “A Touch of Glitter,” was interpreted with maximum ambition. Sequins, feathers, metallic fabrics, velvet, oversized accessories and reflective materials dominated the red carpet as celebrities competed for attention long before the awards began.
Some stars arrived looking regal and sophisticated. Others appeared determined to test the limits of fashion physics.
Social media users wasted no time reacting. Across X and TikTok, fans and critics dissected every outfit with the kind of energy usually reserved for political debates. While some looks earned praise for creativity and boldness, others quickly became meme material.
Still, the carpet succeeded in one important area: entertainment. Nobody came to play safe, and even the most controversial outfits added personality and unpredictability to the night.
The show opened with strong momentum and maintained its energy through performances from some of Ghana’s biggest acts.
Samini, Wendy Shay, Medikal, Black Sherif and Lasmid all delivered crowd-pleasing performances that kept the audience engaged throughout the evening.
One of the most memorable moments came from the tribute to Daddy Lumba, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The tribute performance stirred nostalgia across the auditorium as guests sang along to classics that have defined generations of Ghanaian music.
R2Bees also impressed with a polished mashup performance, while gospel stars Piesie Esther and Diana Hamilton delivered some of the clearest and most powerful live vocals of the night.
Despite the impressive production quality, one issue once again dominated conversations: timing.
The event stretched deep into the night, testing the endurance of viewers both at the venue and at home. By the final awards, many fans had stopped asking who would win and started wondering whether sunrise would arrive first.
While the organisers deserve credit for staging a visually impressive production with improved lighting, stage transitions and camera work, the lengthy programme highlighted the need for tighter scheduling and quicker pacing in future editions.
The biggest winner of the evening was undoubtedly Black Sherif, who walked away with five awards, including the coveted Artiste of the Year title.
He also secured Album/EP of the Year for Iron Boy, Best Hiphop Song, Best Afropop Song and Songwriter of the Year, further cementing his position as one of Ghana’s most influential contemporary artistes.
Medikal also enjoyed a successful night, winning four awards including Most Popular Song of the Year for “Shoulder,” Best Hiplife Song and Collaboration of the Year.
Meanwhile, Kofi Kinaata continued his consistent dominance in highlife music by winning Best Highlife Song and Highlife Artiste of the Year.
The women also made strong statements during the awards. Moliy earned two awards for “Shake It To The Max Remix,” including International Collaboration of the Year, while Wendy Shay won Best Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste.
As expected, not every result escaped criticism.
Black Sherif’s “Where Dem Boys” winning Best Hiphop Song sparked debate among fans who believed other contenders had stronger momentum during the year. Similar conversations emerged around the Record of the Year and Best Rap Performance categories.
But controversy remains part of the TGMA experience. Every edition produces passionate online arguments, divided opinions and endless fan debates a reflection of how emotionally invested Ghanaians remain in music and entertainment.
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the night came when Daddy Lumba received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The honour celebrated a career that has shaped Ghanaian music across decades, with songs that continue to resonate across generations. The standing ovation that followed reflected the enormous respect and admiration he commands within the industry.
Overall, TGMA 27 succeeded in delivering spectacle, excitement and memorable moments. The performances were strong, the production quality showed improvement and the event once again reinforced its status as Ghana’s premier music awards platform.
Still, the organisers may need to address issues surrounding timing, programme structure and pacing if future editions are to maintain audience engagement from start to finish.
Even with its flaws, however, the awards night remained unmistakably Ghanaian loud, stylish, emotional, chaotic and endlessly entertaining.
