The second edition of the Ghana Reggae Dancehall Awards (GRDA) was officially launched on October 3 at the Accra Tourist Information Centre. This event, which is dedicated solely to reggae and dancehall music, aims to fill a significant gap in the Ghanaian music industry by recognizing and celebrating the talents of reggae and dancehall artists nationwide. Established in 2022, the awards have quickly gained prominence in the industry.
The GRDA 2024 will kick off with a call for entries from October 10 to November 10, followed by the nominee announcements on November 31. A Nominees Jam is scheduled for December 13, with the awards night set for December 15 at the Gold Coast Restaurant and Bar in Accra. The event will feature 30 categories, ensuring a comprehensive celebration of the genre’s subgenres and contributors.
At the launch, GRDA coordinator Daniel Yeboah called on Corporate Ghana to support the awards and emphasized the importance of appreciating reggae and dancehall artists. He also announced an industry workshop focused on enhancing skills for navigating the evolving digital music landscape. Speaking on behalf of the GRDA board, Ahuma Ocansey (Daddy Bosco) praised the enduring relationship between reggae and the Ghanaian public, highlighting historical contributions by artists to the genre’s growth.
Ace reggae presenter King Lagazee echoed these sentiments, lamenting the limited recognition reggae and dancehall receive at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs). He called for more acknowledgment of the genre’s vibrant and diverse scene, which continues to thrive in Ghana’s music landscape.