The unveiling of the 2019 nominees under 2017/2018 year of review was held at the Holiday Inn hotel on Friday, January 11, 2019.
Ghana received 79 nominations with 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) Artiste of the Year, Joe Mettle clocking 10 nominations.
Nigeria followed suit with 75 nominations with the “Nara” hitmaker Tim Godfrey also having 8 nominations, followed by a gospel art from South Africa; Dr. Tumi who received 6 nominations.
Other artistes such as Ghanaian gospel music icons Sonnie Badu, Diana Hamilton, Patience Nyarko, Nigerian gospel arts Nathaniel Bassey, Sinach, Frank Edwards and many other gospel musicians and groups, both contemporary and old, from Kenya and South Africa all got nominations in various categories of the 2019 edition of AGAFEST.
The Africa Gospel Awards Festival (AGAFEST) is an award event that recognizes and celebrates talents and hardworking gospel acts, ministry, mission projects, outreach and evangelism, charity works and many more works related to the Gospel across Africa.
The awards seek to encourage, motivate and inspire gospel talents and Christian activities and ventures to attain excellence in their ministries and businesses, and also enhance their labor of love for the expansion of the Kingdom of God.
This year’s AGAFEST is under the theme “Africa under one God” and will kick off on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Fantasy Dome, Trade Fair.
The first edition covers four (4) African countries - Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya - and according to the Chief Executive Officer of AGAFEST, Prince Mackay; the Awards will be expanded to encompass other African countries in subsequent editions.
The two-day event will feature an Africa Gospel Business Summit on the first day and the Awards ceremony on Friday which will be the second day.
Voting Pattern
The general public can vote via three (3) main platforms as follows:
1. Simply download Speakupp app (app store&play store) to starting voting for your favorite artiste(s).
2. Visit Speakupp website links web.speakupp.com to cast your votes.
3. Dial shortcode *713*714# and choose AGAFEST (Available for Ghana only).
How to vote?
To vote for your favourite nominee(s) in AGAFEST 2019:
1. Dial *713*714# and choose AGAFEST by following the procedure below;
a. Select the category and the name of nominee(s).
b. Type in number of votes and follow the rest of the prompts.
2. Visit web.speakupp.com
a. Search for AGAFEST 2019
b. Scroll through to select nominees,
c. Indicate your number of votes and follow the rest of the instructions.
3. Download the Speakupp app on app store and play store, and follow the simple instructions to vote.
NB: You can use any one of the above-mentioned channels of voting in this year’s AGAFEST.
Below is the full list of the nominations:
Final Nomination List For Africa 2019
Non-Competitive Categories
1. Lifetime Achievement Award: Rebecca Malope (South Africa)
2. Africa Gospel Ministry of the Year
3. Africa Gospel Organization of the Year
4. Africa Gospel Charity Worker/Philanthropist of the Year
5. Africa Gospel Outreach/Evangelism Ministry of the Year
Competitive Categories
Africa Gospel Artiste of the Year
1. Joe Mettle (Ghana)
2. Tumi (South Africa)
3. Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
4. Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
5. Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
6. Sonnie Badu (Ghana)
7. Sinach (Nigeria)
8. Diana Hamilton (Ghana)
9. Benjamin Dube (South Africa)
10. Eben (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Song Of The Year
1. Obi Nyani Me — Patience Nyarko (Ghana)
2. Bo Noo Ni — Joe Mettle Ft Luigi Maclean (Ghana)
3. Nasempini — Spirit Of Praise Ft Ayanda Ntanzi (South Africa)
4. Nara Ekele Mo — Tim Godfrey Ft Travis Greene (Nigeria)
5. Ekwueme — Prospa Ochimana Ft Osinachi N (Nigeria)
6. Excess Love — Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
7. Huniachi – Reuben Kigame Ft Gloria Muliro (Kenya)
8. Hosanna – Koda (Ghana)
9. Ulwandle – Dumi Mkokstad (South Africa)
10. Victory – Eben (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel New Artiste of the Year
1. Lebohang Kgapola (South Africa)
2. Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
3. Kobby Salm (Ghana)
4. The Kings’ Crew (Ghana)
5. Prospa Ochimana (Nigeria)
6. Jabidii (Kenya)
7. Lily Perez (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Worship Artiste of the Year
1. Joe Mettle (Ghana)
2. Sonnie Badu (Ghana)
3. Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
4. Sinach (Nigeria)
5. Dr Tumi (South Africa)
6. Pastor Isaiah Ofosu Kwakye (Ghana)
7. Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Praise Artiste of the Year
1. Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
2. Mike Abdul (Nigeria)
3. Koda (Ghana)
4. Chioma Jesus (Nigeria)
5. Patience Nyarko (Ghana)
6. Spirit of Praise (South Africa)
7. Eben (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Rap Hip Hop Artiste of the Year
1. Preachers (Ghana)
2. Shane Li Boy (South Africa)
3. Solomon Spencer (South Africa)
4. Kingzkid (Ghana)
5. Kobby Salm (Ghana)
6. The Kings’ Crew (Ghana)
7. Dube Brothers (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year
1. Akesse Brempong (Ghana)
2. Righteousman (Nigeria)
3. Mista Push (Nigeria)
4. Jabidii (Kenya)
5. Guardian Angel (Kenya)
6. Nat Abbey (Ghana)
7. Moji Shortbaba (Kenya)
Africa Gospel Artiste Manager of the Year
1. Kwesi Kumi Koomson – Joe Mettle (Ghana)
2. King David – Diana Hamilton (Ghana)
3. Kumi Wilson — Patience Nyarko (Ghana)
4. Eezee Tee — Mercy Chinwo And Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
5. Pshegs – Sinach (Nigeria)
6. Kgaogelo Makweya — Dr Tumi (South Africa)
7. Lucky Sekgobela — Lebo Sekgobela (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Female Artiste of the Year
1. Sinach (Nigeria)
2. Gloria Muliro (Kenya)
3. Diana Hamilton (Ghana)
4. Patience Nyarko (Ghana)
5. Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
6. Ntokozo Mbambo (South Africa)
7. Lebo Sekgobela (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Male Artiste Of The Year
1. Joe Mettle (Ghana)
2. Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
3. Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
4. Sammie Okposo (Nigeria)
5. Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
6. Dr Tumi (South Africa)
7. Eben (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Worship Song of the Year
1. Ekwueme – Prospa Ochimana Ft Osinachi N (Nigeria)
2. Huniachi – Reuben Kigame Ft Gloria Muliro (Kenya)
3. Excess Love – Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
4. Alagbada Ina – Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
5. There’s An Overflow – Sinach (Nigeria)
6. Be Lifted – Mog (Ghana)
7. Ulwandle – Dumi Mkokstad (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Praise Song of the Year
1. Victory – Eben (Nigeria)
2. Halleluyah Eh – Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
3. 30 Billion Halleluyah – Mike Abdul (Nigeria)
4. Nasempini – Spirit Of Praise Ft Ayanda Ntanzi (South Africa)
5. Nara Ekele Mo – Tim Godfrey Ft Travis Green (Nigeria)
6. Salute – Enkay Ogboruche Ft Kierra Sheard (Nigeria)
7. Hossana – Koda (Ghana)
Africa Gospel Rap Hip Hop Song of the Year
1. Making It Big – Mog Ft Sarkodie (Ghana)
2. Blessed – Dube Brothers (South Africa)
3. Kumbaya – Shane Li Boy (South Africa)
4. Cross And The Blood – Solomon Spencer (South Africa)
5. Above – Preachers (Ghana)
6. God Forbid – Kingzkid (Ghana)
7. Satan Claps – Kobby Salm (Ghana)
Africa Gospel Afropop Song of the Year
1. My Everything – Joe Mettle (Ghana)
2. I Swerve – Joyce Blessing (Ghana)
3. Signiture – Jimmy Gait (Kenya)
4. Adom – Kaysi Owusu (Ghana)
5. Ujulikane – Laura Karwirwa Ft Alice Kimanzi (Kenya)
6. Wakati Wa Mungu – Paul Clement Ft Guardian Angel (Kenya)
7. Above – Preachers (Ghana)
Africa Gospel Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year
1. Rejoice – Sonnie Badu (Ghana)
2. No Weed – Akesse Brempong (Ghana)
3. Shoot Satan – Jabidii (Kenya)
4. Who Is Like Jesus — Righteousman (Nigeria)
5. Thanks – Nat Abbey (Ghana)
6. Vimbada – Jabidii Ft Moji Shortbaba (Kenya)
7. Odi Dance – Timeless Noel Ft Jabidii And Hype Ochi (Kenya)
Africa Gospel Songwriter of the Year
1. Dumi Mkokstad – Ulwandle (South Africa)
2. Jeshurun Okyere – Healing Stream (Ghana)
3. Dr Tumi – Wafika (South Africa)
4. Nathaniel Bassey – Alagbada Ina (Nigeria)
5. Joe Mettle – My Everything (Ghana)
6. Mercy Chinwo – Excess Love (Nigeria)
7. Sinach – There’s An Overflow (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Producer of the Year
1. Koda – Hosanna By Koda (Ghana)
2. Smj – Nara Ekele Mo By Tim Godfrey (Nigeria)
3. Roy – Excess Love By Mercy Chinwo (Nigeria)
4. Daniel Ayittah – My Everything By Joe Mettle (Ghana)
5. Shadrack Yawson – Obi Nyani Me By Patience Nyarko (Ghana)
6. Gerishom Mubanda – Huniachi By Reuben Kigame (Kenya)
7. Mark Montgomery – Next Revival By Tshwane Gospel Choir (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Video of the Year
1. Ehhe Moya Wami – Abathandwa (South Africa)
2. 30 Billion Halleluyah – Mike Abdul (Nigeria)
3. My Everything – Joe Mettle (Ghana)
4. Efata Wo – Nacee (Ghana)
5. There’s An Overflow – Sinach (Nigeria)
6. He Keeps On Doing – Benjamin Dube (South Africa)
7. Chini Ya Mwamba — Masterpiece (Kenya)
Africa Gospel Group of the Year
1. The Gratitude By Coza (Nigeria)
2. Tim Godfrey And The Xtreme Crew (Nigeria)
3. Spirit Of Praise (South Africa)
4. Infinite Generation (South Africa)
5. Daughters Of Glorious Jesus (Ghana)
6. Preachers (Ghana)
7. Taggoe Sisters (Ghana)
Africa Gospel Choir of the Year
1. Tshwane Gospel Choir (South Africa)
2. Joyous Celebration Choir (South Africa)
3. Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa)
4. Harmonious Chorale (Ghana)
5. Joyful Way Inc. (Ghana)
6. Em’praise (Ghana)
7. Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Collaboration of the Year
1. Bigger – Celestine Donkor Ft Steve Crown (Ghana)
2. Bo Noo Ni – Joe Mettle Ft Luigi Maclean (Ghana)
3. Nara Ekele Mo – Tim Godfrey Ft Travis Greene (Nigeria)
4. Salute – Enkay Ogboruche Ft Kierra Sheard (Nigeria)
5. Nasempini – Spirit Of Prise Ft Ayanda Ntanzi (South Africa)
6. Obi Nyani Me — Patience Nyarko Ft Brother Sammy (Ghana)
7. Odi Dance – Timeless Noel Ft Jabidii And Hype Ochi (Kenya)
Africa Gospel Male Vocalist of the Year
* Afy Douglas – Saviour (Nigeria)
* Sonnie Badu – I Hail You (Ghana)
* Joe Mettle – My Everything (Ghana)
* Nacee – Efata Wo (Ghana)
* Dr Tumi – Wafika (South Africa)
* Benjamin Dube – He Keeps On Doing (South Africa)
* Ayanda Ntanzi – Nasempini Ft Spirit Of Praise (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Female Vocalist of the Year
1. Enuonyam – Changed (Ghana)
2. Sinach – There’s An Overflow (Nigeria)
3. Gifty Osei – Adom (Ghana)
4. Lily Perez – Amazing God (Nigeria)
5. Diana Hamilton – Mo Ne Yo (Ghana)
6. Helen Yawson (Ghana)
7. Ntokozo Mbambo – We Pray For More (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Album of the Year
1. God Of Miracles – Joe Mettle (Ghana)
2. Victory – Eben (Nigeria)
3. Revival Flames – Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
4. Jesus! The Resurrection And The Life – Nathaniel Bassey (Nigeria)
5. Angels On The Runway – Frank Edwards (Nigeria)
6. Songs From The Place Of Prayer — Onos Ariyo (Nigeria)
7. The Next Revival – Tshwane Gospel Choir
Africa Gospel Event of the Year
1. Xperience 2018 – Makers House Chapel (Ghana)
2. Impact 2018 – Action Chapel (Ghana)
3. Greater Works 2018 – Icgc (Ghana)
4. The Experience 2018 — House On The Rock Church (Nigeria)
5. Victorious In His Presence – Benjamin Dube (South Africa)
6. Speak A Word Live At The Ticketpro Dome – Dr Tumi (South Africa)
7. Voltage War-Ship – Coza (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel News Portal of the Year
1. Repjesus.Com (Ghana)
2. Gospelgh.Com (Ghana)
3. Praisejamzblog.Com (Nigeria)
4. Gospotainment.Com (Nigeria)
5. Gospelbuzz (South Africa)
6. Ulizalinks.Com (Kenya)
7. Gospelcentric.Com (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Radio Station of the Year
1. Sweet Melodies FM (Ghana)
2. Sunny FM (Ghana)
3. Liveway Radio (Nigeria)
4. Gospotainment Radio (Nigeria)
5. Praiseworld Radio (Nigeria)
6. Radio Joyful FM (South Africa)
7. Hope FM (Kenya)
Africa Gospel TV Station of the Year
1. Praise TV (Ghana)
2. Dove TV (Nigeria)
3. Faith TV (Ghana)
4. Precious TV (Ghana)
5. Dominion TV (Ghana)
6. One Gospel TV (South Africa)
7. Omega TV (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Radio Program of the Year
1. Sunday Best With Sabina – Naija FM (Nigeria)
2. Ghana Beye Yie With Nana Yaw Safo – Vision 1 FM (Ghana)
3. Light On Live With Jeshurun Okyere — Live FM (Ghana)
4. Shangilia (Hope FM, Kenya)
5. Kasapa Live Worship With Agyenim Boateng – Kasapa FM (Ghana)
6. Inspiration Morning Drive With Kojo – Sunny FM (Ghana)
7. Live Worship With Ob Nartey – Vision 1 FM (Ghana)
Africa Gospel TV Program of the Year
1. Footprint TV Show (Ghana)
2. Cross Over 101 – NTV (Kenya)
3. Chatline – Dove TV (Nigeria)
4. Lets Talk With Sam Zungu – Omega TV (South Africa)
5. Restoration With Stacy (Ghana)
6. Gospel Unplugged – Sabc1 (South Africa)
7. Greater Works With Minister Harry – 1 Gospel (South Africa)
Africa Gospel Comedian of the Year
1. Multi B (South Africa)
2. Mr Majo Almost Famous (South Africa)
3. Angel Gabriel (South Africa)
4. Tebogo Ntlahane (South Africa)
5. Kenny Blaq (Nigeria)
6. Akpororo (Nigeria)
7. Lepacious Bose (Nigeria)
Africa Gospel Best International Artiste
1. Travis Greene
2. Tasha Cobbs Leonard
3. Isabel Davis
4. Marvin Sapp
5. Canton Jones
6. Cece Winans
7. David Bloom