The Telecel Ghana Music Awards board has finally given a clear explanation on why King Paluta’s hit song ‘Makoma’ was not selected for this year’s Most Popular Song or Highlife Song of the Year categories. This comes after fans questioned the absence of the popular track from two of the scheme’s most competitive and talked-about categories.
In an official statement issued on April 3, 2025, Robert Klah, Head of Communications and Public Events at Charterhouse, addressed the controversy, clearing the air about speculations. Many had assumed that the song might have been disqualified due to the presence of explicit or offensive lyrics. However, the board strongly dismissed that claim, stating that there was no issue of profanity in the lyrics and that the real reason was rooted in TGMA’s category rules.
According to the TGMA board, only one song per artiste can be selected in a single category. This rule applies to all categories except for Best Collaboration, Best International Collaboration, and Best Music Video. The reason for this guideline is to avoid vote-splitting and to ensure that each artiste stands a better chance of winning by focusing their votes on one entry rather than dividing them between two.
In the case of King Paluta, both ‘Makoma’ and ‘Aseda’ qualified as strong entries for the Highlife Song and Most Popular Song categories. However, based on detailed research, including a wide analysis of streaming statistics and airplay across 175 radio stations in Ghana, the board concluded that ‘Aseda’ was more popular than ‘Makoma.’ As a result, ‘Aseda’ was chosen to represent King Paluta in both categories.
The TGMA board emphasized that this rule was not new. It has been part of the awards scheme for years and was enforced in the past with other artistes. For instance, in 2016, highlife musician Bisa Kdei faced a similar situation. Although he had two massive hits, ‘Mansa’ and ‘Brother Brother,’ only ‘Mansa’ was nominated in the relevant categories. That same one-artist-one-song rule was applied then, just as it has been applied now.
The board acknowledged that there were a few years when the rule was relaxed, and multiple songs by one artiste made it into the same category. However, it stressed that its current position is to maintain the rule strictly for fairness and balance. It noted that exceptions to the rule often led to unnecessary confusion, debates, and divided fan support, which weakened the spirit of healthy competition.
In their official communication, the board reassured the public that the selection process is always carried out with transparency and fairness. Every decision is based on data, industry feedback, and a careful review of each entry’s reach and impact. This includes assessing airplay, digital streams, popularity polls, and other performance indicators.
TGMA also used this opportunity to remind artistes, fans, and stakeholders that the scheme operates with an error and omission window. This period allows them to correct any genuine oversight in nominations. It is also a learning phase where clarifications like this are made public to strengthen the credibility of the scheme. The board believes that the education of all stakeholders about the nomination process is crucial for building a music industry that understands and supports its own systems.
Despite the disappointment felt by King Paluta’s fans, the board’s statement has helped reduce the tension by showing that the decision was not based on bias or unfair treatment. Instead, it was a strategic move to give the artiste a better chance in a highly competitive field. King Paluta, whose fan base continues to grow, is expected to perform strongly in the categories where ‘Aseda’ has been nominated.
The Ghana Music Awards remains one of the country’s most prestigious platforms for recognizing musical talent. Every year, the selection and nomination process is closely watched and discussed by the public. With the board’s recent statement, many now have a better understanding of how the awards system works and why some favorite songs may be left out despite their popularity.
The board concluded by encouraging music lovers to continue supporting their favorite artistes and to follow the awards process with a more informed perspective moving forward.
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Total Comments: 1
The explanation offered is understandable