The Board of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) has officially announced a significant structural change to its nomination criteria with the introduction of a new “Swing Period” policy.
This move, implemented for the upcoming 27th edition of the awards, is designed to ensure that impactful songs released in December—which often fall through the cracks of traditional eligibility windows—receive the recognition they deserve.
For years, artists who released hit songs in the final month of the year faced a unique disadvantage: their music was often too “new” for the current year’s nominations but considered “old news” by the time the following year’s cycle rolled around.
According to the TGMA Board, the Swing Period follows three years of deep engagement with industry stakeholders. The policy allows December releases to be considered in the subsequent awards year, provided they meet three strict criteria:
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The song must have been released in December of the eligibility year.
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It must have demonstrated measurable impact within the year under review.
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It must not have received a nomination in the previous edition of the awards.
Under this newly minted policy, two major tracks have already earned nominations for the 27th TGMA:
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“Messiah” – Sarkodie ft. Kweku Flick
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“Excellent” – Kojo Blak ft. Kelvyn Boy
Both songs gained significant traction and audience engagement following their late-year releases, serving as the primary examples of why this policy was necessary.
In a statement signed by Robert Klah, Head of Public Events & Communications at Charterhouse, the board emphasized that this shift reflects the evolving nature of digital consumption and global release cycles.
“The TGMA remains committed to refining its processes in ways that protect credibility while ensuring deserving works receive recognition,” the release stated.
This update is expected to spark conversation among pundits and fans alike, as it fundamentally changes how the “calendar year” is viewed in the context of Ghana’s biggest music night.
