History was made last Saturday at the Accra International Conference Centre as Joe Mettle became the first Gospel act to be adjudged Artiste of the Year at Charterhouse-organised Ghana Music Awards.

For seventeen years of its inception, gospel artistes had earned as many nominations as their secular colleagues but had not been able to clinch the topmost award.

The development coupled with Joe Mettle’s achievements the year under review, led to several gospel artistes and entertainment pundits throwing their weights behind him and calling for the crown to be bestowed on him which eventually saw the light of day.

Joe Mettle beat competition from Sarkodie, EL, Stonebwoy, MzVee and Medikal. He was also adjudged Gospel Artiste of the Year.

Stonebwoy also made history as the only act to win the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year and Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year for three consecutive years.

VVIP defended two titles: Best Group of the Year and Best Collaboration of the Year with their ‘Alhaji’ song which featured Patoranking.

For the first time, Flowking Stone walked home with an award as his song ‘Go Low’ beat Guru’s ‘Samba’, Donzy’s ‘Club’, Sarkodie’s ‘RNS’, Criss Waddle’s ‘Bie Gya’, Kofi Kinaata’s ‘Sweetie Pie’ and ‘Alhaji’ by VVIP to win Hiplife Song of the Year.

For his outstanding contribution to the music industry, Papa Yankson was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award which he dedicated to his mentor, C.K Man.



As predicted by many entertainment critics, Runtown who was the only African act invited to the event, picked African Artiste of the Year award.

The colourful event solely hosted by Anita Erskine of Starr FM saw performances from Sarkodie, Kofi Kinaata, Ernest Opoku, Nacee, Adina, Akwaboah, EL, Runtown and a host of others.

Below is the full list of winners:

Lifetime Achievement Award – Benjamin Paapa Kofi Yankson

Traditional artiste of the year – Sammy Ahmed

Instrumentalist of the year – Philip Acquah

Traditional Artiste Of The Year – Mr Sammy Ahmed

Best Gospel Song of The Year – Yewo Nyame A Yweo Adze by Nacee ft Ernest Opoku

Highlife Song of The Year – Confession by Kofi Kinaata

Reggae/Dancehall Song of The Year – People Dey by Stonebwoy

Hip Hop Song of The Year – God MC by M.anifest

HipLife Song of The Year – Go Low by Flowking Stone

Afropop Song of The Year – Kaabueme by E.L

Gospel Artist of The Year – Joe Mettle

High Life Artist of The Year – Kofi Kinaata

Hip Life/ Hip Hop Artist of The Year – Sarkodie

Songwriter of The Year – Kofi Kinaata (Confession)

Reggae/Dancehall Artist of The Year – Stonebwoy

Best Collaboration of The Year – VVIP ft Patoranking (Alhaji)

Female Vocalist of The Year – Adina

Best Male Vocalist of The Year – Joe Mettle (Onwawani)

Best Group of The Year – VVIP

Best Music Video f The Year – Small Small (Okyeame Kwame ft MzVee)

Best Rapper of The Year – M.anifest

African Artist of The Year – Runtown

Best New Artist of The Year – Fancy Gaddam

Record of The Year – Too Late by Adina Thembi Prod. by Killbeatz, King Promise

Vodafone Most Popular Song of The Year – Christy by Dobble

Album of the Year – Counsellor by Nacee

Artist of The Year – Joe Mettle