Sandra Oduro - tipped to win an award There is no doubt that gospel music is the dominant music form in the country presently. Out of the 20 best songs listed on the Ghana Mega hits charts, seven of them are gospel.

Songs such as Me Huri So by Prophet Seth Frimpong, Meye Onyameba by Christiana Love of the Holy Ghost International Group and Yesu Ayonkofa by Sandra Oduro are ruling the airwaves and can be heard at almost every social event.

Reports have it that some political parties used Cindy Thompson?s hit song Awurade Kasa as their campaign song and it is clear  that the hit gospel song will not be spared by the parties this election year too.

The contribution that gospel musicians make towards the socio-political development of the nation was duly recognized, last year, by the S&S Media Limited, which launched a special awards ceremony in their honour.

On Saturday, March 24, 2003, the first Ghana Gospel Music Awards ceremony was held at the at National Theatre in Accra where 16 individuals and organizations in the gospel music business were presented with various awards.

Cindy Thompson won prizes for producing the Best Gospel Song, Best Album and Best Praise Song. She received a computer and cash reward and also represented Ghana at the All Africa Gospel Festival in Benin.

This year?s edition of the Ghana Gospel Music Awards is expected to be launched at the Royal Ravico Hotel, Nungua, on Friday March 5. The main event comes off at the National Theatre on Saturday, May 1.

The categories open for awards are Best Gospel Song, Best Gospel Album, Best Male Voice, Best Female Voice, Best Small Ministry, Best Medium Ministry, Best Mass Ministry and the Best Praise Song.

The rest are the Best Worship Song, New Artiste of the Year, Best Packaging, Best Music Video, Best Accapella Group, Most Inspiring Lyrics and Best Production House.