Over the years there have been dust in the air after every Ghana Music Awards event and this year’s event is no exception.

Some questions have been raised by a section of the general public and critics concerning the categories which many believe were ill-structured and unfair to some artists.

Organization of the awards was well taken care of by Charter House, though the stage setting was not the best. The curtain raiser for the event was a performance by ace musician cum producer Obrafuor who charged the atmosphere and by his show suggested to the audience to expect nothing but the best.

The excitement was climaxed when names of artistes were called for awards within their respective categories. Ofori Amponsah swept the board again by picking four enviable awards in various categories including the Album of the Year and Highlife song of the Year.

He looked overwhelmed and full of joy when he mounted the stage to receive his awards. King Ayisoba’s “I want to see you my father” fetched him three awards, including Traditional Song of the Year. He also went away with an award from the category of Most Popular Song of the Year since toddlers can even mumble his lyrics when King Ayisoba’s song is playing. Batman Samini and Obrafuor each also emerged winners in three of the categories in which they were nominated.

With regards to who picked up what in the gospel music genre, the ever energetic Kweku Gyasi was smiling all the way home with his awards for Gospel Song of the year, Gospel Album of the year and Gospel artiste of the year. Aside the usual categories available, some special awards were given to deserving people.

Hugh Masekela was honored with the award title African Music Legend. The Best Female Vocal Performance category went to Christiana Love while Obrafuor and Kofi B were adjudged the Best Collaboration of the Year.

The award that really sparked off controversy was the one awarded Praye as the Hiplife Album Of The Year. The argument is that the song- Run Run Somethings- which was considered for the award is just a single track done by Praye on an Appietus compilation featuring other artistes doing their own song on the same album. How then, could a single track on a compilation album featuring different artistes be adjudged the Hiplife Album of the Year?

Another notable blunder was the manner in which some artistes were nominated for awards and their pictures shown boldly in Tune Magazine, the official magazine for the Ghana Music Awards 2007. However, these artistes were never shown on the screens on the day of the award.

Some of these artistes include A-Plus for African Pop Song of the Year, Naana Frimpong for Best Female Vocal Performer Naa Agyeman for Highlife Song of the Year and C-Zar for Hiplife Song of the year and Best Collaboration of the Year.

Kwame Sefa Kayi hosted the show in his usual humorous manner yet the big question still remains: Isn’t it time he hangs up his dancing shoes and leaves the stage for someone else to take over after seven years? However, the show generally has to be given two thumbs up for some considerable amount of success.

Source: Weekly Fylla