As had been the norm for the past seven years, the early part of the year is for the selection and compilation of the list of nominees into the various categories of the Ghana Music Awards Festival ? Who will be nominated and who will not?

Keen followers of the Ghana Music Awards Festival might have observed that this period of the event always generates some sort of drama. Last year, exactly around this time, the various committees had to meet with stakeholders in the Music industry to decide whether or not to have the Ghana Music Awards.

The belief, at that time was that stakeholders in the music industry were not satisfied with the way the event was being handled. Interestingly, it turned out that, amidst the rambling and complaints from the stakeholders, they still had a passionate lust for the event to come on after all.

This was evidenced in the number of hands that were raised in support of the event during a quick vote.

But the drama did not end there.

Few weeks after this meeting, two popular Ghanaian Hiplife artistes, Obour and Batman were taken to "court".

They were taxed to defend their songs, which were believed to have profane lyrics.

The Ghana Music Awards, like the tadpole that had matured into a toad, was last year transformed into a festival and was celebrated over a period of five days.

This probably marked the beginning of a much bigger Ghana Music Awards.

Celebrating its 7th Anniversary this year, activities for the Awards Festival will run over a period of eight days and will include a massive musical concert on the night of 6th March 2006 at the Independence Square in Accra.

This concert will climax events of the Awards Festival and will feature performances from top African artistes from South Africa, Cote d?Ivoire, Togo, Nigeria and all nominees of this year?s Ghana Music Awards Festival.

The official commencement of the Awards Festival will be on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at Alliance Francaise in Accra ? The Ghana Music Awards Highlife Night.

On that night, patrons will be treated to live performances from renowned music artistes.

The Awards Festival will continue on the following day, Thursday, March 2, at the Novotel Hotel in Accra with the celebration of the Ghana Music Awards Industry Awards Night.

As part of the festival, a one-day seminar will be organised at Alisa Hotel to discuss pertinent issues affecting the development of Ghana?s Music Industry one of which is the fight against piracy.

Key speakers for that night will include the chairman of the MTV South African Music Awards, a Legal and Business Affairs Director of EMI Music, Kgopotso Leslie Sedibe, MUSIGA and the Ministry of Tourism.

Before the main event at the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday March 4, there will be a massive night clubbing for party people and music artistes.

Again as part of the festival, the Accra International Conference centre, will on Sunday March 5, hold what is expected to be the biggest gospel festival ever organised in the country.

The show will feature top South African Gospel artistes and others artistes from Nigeria.

All nominees of the gospel category for this year?s Ghana Music Awards festival will also be on stage to perform.

Already the various committees of the Ghana Music Awards Festival 2006, have begun sitting and will soon release the names of nominees for the various categories of Ghana Music Awards Festival 2006.