The Recording Academy, globally renowned for organising the prestigious Grammy Awards, recently announced plans to establish an African version of the event to bolster the Academy’s influence in rapidly growing music markets.

However, as excitement mounts for the inaugural Grammy Africa Awards scheduled for either 2027 or 2028, Ghana finds herself excluded from the spotlight of this historic event after failing to fulfil the requirements to join the ranks of founding countries—Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa—in hosting the awards.

In an interview with Daybreak Hitz on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Lady Dentaa Amoateng, Senior Advisor to the Grammy CEO and President of Grammy Africa, disclosed Ghana was unable to finalise certain requirements with the Recording Academy, citing resource constraints as one of the reasons.

“It’s a bit unfortunate, but the agreement that would have solidified Ghana’s participation didn’t come to fruition. As a result, the four countries–Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa will be the ones hosting the Grammy Africa Awards and enjoying the associated benefits. So for now, Ghana is not part of the founding member countries.

“While Ghanaian artistes will still be eligible for nominations and participation in the Grammy Africa Awards, the country will miss out on the significant opportunities and prestige that come with being a founding member and host”, she added.

This development marks a missed chance for Ghana to solidify her place on the global music stage and benefit from the cultural and economic advantages that come with hosting such a high-profile event.

Lady Dentaa however expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming event, stating it would significantly bridge the gap between African artistes and the global creative community.

She said the Academy had been actively engaging with cultural ministries and key stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East for the past two years.

This extensive engagement included listening sessions and high-level briefings with government officials and pioneering music creators aimed at fostering global connections for African music creators.

Although a formal announcement for the start of the awards is pending, Lady Dentaa said “I’ve been working with them for the past two years and I would say it is in the pipeline.

“We are looking at probably 2027-2028. But the Recording Academy will put out a statement soon. Again, we just have to wait for this information. But I believe in 2027 or 2028, the continent will host its first Grammy Awards.”

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As founder of GUBA Enterprise, she said her new role, despite being in football and being a lover of football, is to make a statement to all females who love sports, especially football to come into football management with confidence and be successful as the men have been.

In an interview with Nhyira FM in Kumasi, the former manager for ex-Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan was hopeful that the new challenge offered should see a new path being created.

“The way the world is going now; in everything you need female attraction. One of our goals is to ensure that I and Akua (Pokuaa Kwarteng) deliver because we are the only females on the team so there is a lot of pressure on us because you hardly see it,” the renowned TV show host told Nhyira FM.

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“We will make sure that we deliver our responsibilities better so we can attract those women who support football to come and be part of it and to showcase that football is for everyone, for kids, women, men and it brings everybody together. We are going to use our influence to make sure that diversity is brought to Kotoko,” she concluded.

The renowned TV show host is expected to work closely with Commercial Manager Eric Amoako-Twum to place the Kotoko brand on an enviable pedestal across the globe.

Kotoko’s new management team:

• Emmanuel Dasoberi (Administrative and Operations Manager)
• David Obeng Nyarko (Special Assistant to the CEO)
• Thoma Sevordzi (Finance Manager)
• Eric Amoako-Twum (Commercial Manager)
• Akosua Dentaa Amoateng MBE (Diaspora and International Relations)
• Akua Pokuaa Kwarteng (Head of Legal – Domestic)
• Nilo Effori (Head of Legal – International)