On May 20, 2016, the winners of the Ghana Blogging & Social Media Awards 2016 (#BloGHAwards16) were announced during an intimate event at the Chartered Institute of Bankers’ Hall in East Legon, Accra, hosted by spoken word artistes Poetra Asantewa and 100% (Paul Forjoe) and featuring performances by Faith Bekoe and Cina.

Selected from over 400 public nominations, the winners went through a rigorous review of digital content produced in 2015; the final scores consisted of an online public vote (30-40%) and ratings by a panel of six African judges (60-70%).

A total of 18 awards were given out, consisting of 17 blogging and social media categories and content produced in 2015 and one special award for services to Ghana’s blogging and social media community. Each winner received a plaque during the May 20 event.

The winners of the Ghana Blogging & Social Media Awards 2016 are as follows:

Best Blogger: Ameyaw Debrah

Best Blog: KeniKodjo.com

Best Post of 2015: Kwame Gyan (Innitfo? No R?ba Ooo)

Best Emerging Niche Blog: Screwlife.com

Best New Blog: 2eweboys.com

Best Organisational Blog: Tonaton

Best Twitter Account (Individual): Nana Aba Anamoah

Best Twitter Account (Organization): Citi 97.3 FM

Best Instagram Account: Ameyaw Debrah

Best Facebook Profile (Individual): Maukeni Padiki Kodjo

Best Facebook Page (Entity): Vodafone Ghana

Best YouTube Channel (Individual): Akumaa Mama Zimbi

Best YouTube Channel (Artiste): Sarkodie

Public Official With Best Social Media Presence: Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children & Social Protection

Organization With Best Social Media Presence: Vodafone Ghana

Media House With Best Social Media Presence: Citi 97.3 FM

Artiste With Best Social Media Presence: Shatta Wale

Special Award for Services to Ghana’s Blogging & Social Media Community: PlanIT Ghana

HE Jon Benjamin, British High Commissioner to Ghana, and US Embassy Ghana Press Attaché Sara Stealy gave speeches outlining the importance of social media and blogging to enhancing freedom of expression, transparency and democracy in Ghana, while Citi FM’s Mawuli Tsikata showcased highlights in Ghana’s social media landscape in 2015.

Digital media pioneers Nana Sekyiamah of adventuresfrom.com, Venus Tawiah of Now Available Africa, and Nigerian semantics web advocate and BloGHAwards16 judge Emeka Okoye gave insights on the importance of digital storytelling to Ghana and Africa. BloGHAwards16 committee members Jemila Abdulai and Fred Frimpong also gave an overview on the awards cycle and voting dynamics.