Gospel powerhouse Piesie Esther has reignited controversy surrounding the 2023 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, suggesting but for comments by some industry elements she would have won the the Artiste of the Year title.

In an interview on Prime Time with George Quaye on Joy Prime, the gospel star did not mince words about her lingering pain over the outcome of the 2023 awards.

“VGMA 2023 was mine,” she stated.

The Artiste of the Year category at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards is the most prestigious and fiercely contested prize of the night. In 2023, Piesie Esther’s nomination was widely described as historic, a rare and powerful moment for gospel music to dominate mainstream conversation. However, she lost to Black Sherif, after weeks of extensive campaigns.

Her hit releases, consistent airplay, massive church and public event performances, and strong fan mobilisation positioned her as a serious contender. Many within the gospel fraternity openly declared that it was “her year.”

During the interview, Piesie Esther, staring into the eyes of the host George Quaye, said: “your public comments prior to the awards influenced discourse and affected how people viewed my chances of winning that ultimate award of that night."

While she did not go into detail about the exact statements, she expressed how deeply the situation affected her emotionally.

“For George to pinch me that hard…” she said, her words reflecting lingering hurt.

She admitted that she was pained at the time and remains in pain over how events unfolded.

“I was pained, and I am still in pain,” she confessed.

While acknowledging the competitive nature of the category, Piesie Esther suggested that “If not for your public comments, I would have won that award.”

She added that in an industry where narratives can shape opinions overnight, even a single influential voice can tilt conversations dramatically.

In a lead-up to the 2023 ceremony of the awards, George Quaye, a former Head of Communications for Charterhouse, the organisers of the scheme had objected to activities of some lobbyists from the camp of Piesie Esher.

George had vehemently spoken against members from Piesie's camp calling music industry stakeholders to vote for her to win the Artiste of the Year slot.