The Reason Why VGMA is Now Called TGMA

Since its establishment in 1999, a quarter of a century ago, the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) was formerly referred to as the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

Charter House, a local event management company, is the exclusive organizer of this award scheme, with the main aim of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of Ghanaian musicians to the development and enhancement of the nation’s music scene.

This awards ceremony serves as a platform to celebrate the talents and accomplishments of artists who have played crucial roles in shaping and expanding the local music landscape.

Throughout the years, the VGMA, now known as TGMA, has contributed to the shaping and advancement of Ghana’s music industry. The ceremony is scheduled annually in either April, May, or June.

The occasion is hailed as the premier music event in Ghana, broadcasted locally on GHOne TV, GTV, and/or TV3, and internationally on Akwaaba Magic via 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 supported by one of Ghana’s leading telecommunications companies, MTN. Until October 2011, MTN served as the primary sponsor for the awards.

Vodafone entered the picture and assumed the role of headline sponsor in 2011, taking over the title sponsorship from MTN, four years after it entered the Ghanaian market in 2008.

The agreement granted Vodafone exclusive rights to the renowned event, leading to its renaming as the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

Vodafone served as 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 agreement led to a rebranding of the company, which also resulted in a change to the name from Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) to Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA).