- Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards launches 2nd edition
- Nominations open Oct 10 - Nov 10
- Winners selected by academy/board, no public voting
The second edition of the Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards (GRDA) has been officially launched, aiming to honor the contributions of artists in the reggae and dancehall genres.
The event, held on Thursday, October 3, at the Accra Tourist Information Centre, was sponsored by Nakanak Travels and Tours. It saw attendance from media personalities and representatives from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), including notable figures such as Black Santino, Daddy Bosco, Chizzy Wailer, and King Lagazee.
“The Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards is aimed at recognising the efforts of singers, producers, selectors, DJs, MCs, live bands, and performance artistes who have dedicated themselves to pushing the boundaries,” said Daniel Yeboah, CEO of ReggaeCourtEmpire and coordinator of the GRDA. He highlighted the need for greater recognition and celebration of reggae and dancehall, which have historically been central to Ghanaian music but often overlooked.
Yeboah emphasized that the time has come for reggae and dancehall to claim their rightful place alongside other celebrated genres in the country. The awards are structured differently from other schemes; the GRDA relies solely on an academy and board to determine the winners, rather than public voting. This approach is designed to eliminate vote buying and ensure fairness in the selection process.
Nominations for the 2024 edition will be open from October 10 to November 10, with nominees set to be announced on November 20. To build excitement around the event, a Nominees Jam is scheduled for December 13.
The inaugural Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards, held in December 2023 at La Shrine (Laboma), saw Bongo Fari take home the top honors, setting a precedent for future celebrations of the genre.
