Since its inception in 1999, 25 years ago, the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) was previously known as the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
Charter House, a local event organizing company is the sole organizer of this award scheme with a primary objective of recognizing and honouring the contributions of Ghanaian musicians towards the advancement and enrichment of the nation’s music landscape.
This awards ceremony serves as a platform to celebrate the talents and achievements of artistes who have played pivotal roles in shaping and expanding the local music scene.
Over the years, the VGMA now TGMA has helped shaped and developed Ghana’s music industry. The event is organized in April, May or June of each year.
The event is referred to as the biggest music night in Ghana broadcasting locally on GHOne TV, GTV and/or TV3 and outside Ghana on Akwaaba Magic on satellite TV platform DStv and terrestrial TV platform GOtv.
Why was the Ghana Music Awards referred to as Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA)
For 12 years since its inception, the Ghana Music Awards was sponsored by one of Ghana’s Telecommunications giants, MTN. Up until October 2011, MTN was the lead sponsor for the awards.
Vodafone came into the picture and became the headline sponsor in 2011 after it took over the title sponsorship from MTN, four years after it entered the Ghanaian market in 2008.
The deal gave Vodafone the exclusive rights to the popular event, hence changing its name to Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
Since then, Vodafone has led a huge transformation and changes to the VGMA making it the vibrant festival as it is currently.
Read more: 2024 TGMAs: Five categories to watch out for and the nominees
Vodafone was the lead and headline sponsor of the Ghana Music Awards for 13 years until the Telecommunication company sold 70% of its shares to another company, Telecel in 2023.
This deal necessitated a rebranding of the company which also affected the name of the Ghana Music Awards.
From VGMA to Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA)
In February 2023, Vodafone Plc on its website announced that it has completed the sale of its majority 70% shareholding in Vodafone Ghana to Telecel Group.
The transaction received regulatory approval and agreement from the Government of Ghana which retained its 30% minority shareholding in Vodafone Ghana.
Fast forward to March 2024, Vodafone Ghana transitioned to Telecel, a move which called for a rebranding of Vodafone to Telecel.
The Chief Executive Officer of Telecel Group, Patricia Obo-Nai explained the rationale for the rebranding.
“So, in February 2023, Vodafone Ghana ended its work in Ghana. So, we signed a deal with Telecel Group to take over the 70% shares of Vodafone Group in Ghana Telecom. It has been one year of transition. And so, from yesterday, we ended the relationship with the Vodafone brand and we unveiled the Telecel brand. We started with our employees in the morning at the conference centre, so they will see it first.
“We have announced our brand promise that they are going to see an experience that is very different in our network, in the way we deliver service to our customers, and also, importantly, the mobile financial services,” she said.
In the same month after the rebranding happened, the VGMA announced a new headline sponsor for the Ghana Music Awards.
Telecel took over as the new headline sponsor and the awards was rebranded as Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA). This significant milestone occurred the same year the award scheme is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
This rebranding signifies more than just a name change—it represents a renewed commitment to celebrating and honoring the outstanding achievements of Ghanaian musicians and industry professionals.
