Selina Boateng wins Artiste of the Year at Ghana Gospel Industry Awards

Fast rising gospel music artiste, Selina Boateng, known for popular songs such as Minku Meho and Medofo Pa was crowned the Artiste of the Year at the second edition of the Ghana Gospel Industry Awards (GGIA) organized by Adom 106.3 FM.

On a night when players in the gospel industry were honoured for distinguishing themselves in their chosen fields, it was Selina who stole the spotlight as she took home not only the night’s biggest award, Artiste of the Year, but three others as well; Album of the Year, Song of the Year for her song Minku Meho and Popular Video of the Year.

Although she had predicted before the final show that she would win several awards, Selina was visibly overwhelmed at her victory and could not say much when she was given the topmost award choosing instead to sing Medofo Pa for the audience who cheered her on anytime she went up the stage to take an award.

Her awards seem to have capped what has been a wonderful 2011 and 2012 for the once backing vocalist whose album, Minku Me Ho, has seen her popularity soar.

Even though the night belonged to Selina, she was almost upstaged by the lead singer of Soul Winners, Joe Mettle, who scooped three awards with his maiden album, Nhyira.

His name may have been unfamiliar to quite a number of the people but for the many who knew him in the audience, it was all cheers and screams as he took home the Male Vocalist of the Year, Video of the Year and Best Gospel Songwriter awards.

The two artistes were not the only ones who were celebrated for their excellence; Nacy (leader of No Tribe) took home the Gospel Producer of the Year and the Gospel Sound Engineer of the Year – he won the same award last year.

Other award winners were Adehyemaa for New Artiste of the Year, Hans Bekx for Alternative Gospel Song of the Year and Alternative Gospel Video of the Year, DSP Kofi Sarpong and Celestine for Collaboration of the Year, Diana Hamilton for Female Vocalist of the Year.

Ernest Kwesi Ennin of Media Excel Productions took home the Record Label/Executive Producer of the Year award while Uche of Double Double fame was crowned the African Gospel Artiste of the Year.

Madam Joyce Aryee was given the Honorary Award of the Year and one of the pioneers and pillars of gospel music, Prof Kofi Abraham received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

A Zaphenath Paneah night!

The night was also spiced with some wonderful and exciting performances from gospel greats like Cecilia Marfo, Herty Borngreat, Ernest Opoku and award winners Selina Boateng and Diana Hamilton which helped to make the audience perhaps forgive and forget the late start of the programme.

Cecilia Marfo as usual put up such a splendid show that she was called back to give an encore performance.

Singing popular praise and worship songs from both local and foreign artistes songs mixed with her popular Efunumu Ba and Mammire Engu, she kept the audience on their feet with her energetic performance as they sang and danced along with her.

Herty Borngreat’s collaboration with hip hop star, Trigmatic was one of the memorable and interesting acts of the night and it did receive a lot of cheers.

Diana Hamilton was very impressive especially with her vocals as she performed songs from her albums like the popular Ensi Wo Yie and her latest Eye Woa.

Selina Boateng lighted up the auditorium with Medofo Pa and Minku Meho with Ernest Opoku also putting up a good show.

The surprise act of the night was Nicholas Omane Acheampong of Zaphenath Paneah fame. Dressed in a costume reminiscent of ancient Egpyt complete with a headdress and sandals, his arrival drew loud cheers from the audience who wanted to hear the song of the moment but not before he had sang popular tunes like Tabita Kum.

When he started Zaphenath Paneah, the whole auditorium was on its feet and it was a mixture of laughter and cheers and singing.

He was indeed a refreshing surprise and the timing of his performance was quite apt as it woke people up from their lethargy.

On the whole, the second edition of the Ghana Gospel Industry Awards was a well organized event and a massive improvement over last year’s; the sound was great, projectors worked well and the stage design was colourful.

The MCs for the night, Kofi Asare Brako (Abatay) and Obidombie Kwaku Adu Kumi of Adom FM also amused the audience with their banter and jokes.

It is fitting to say that Adom FM lived up to its promise of ensuring a memorable night and yes they did! Already many people are looking forward to next year’s awards.

The GGIA was sponsored by Schweppes Malt, Cowbell Choco Malt, Panaleave, Ezi Savings and Loans, KPMG, Strategic Properties, Mr Biggs Restaurant, HFC Bank, Standard Water, XM Capital and UT Bank.

Ghana l Adomonline.com l Linda Safoa Antwi