Nana Poku Ashis is an artiste manager and entertainment pundit
Artiste manager and entertainment pundit, Nana Poku Ashis, has come to the defence of Charterhouse, organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), saying they deserve commendation for their consistent efforts despite limited resources and lack of government support.
Speaking during an X Space hosted by GhanaWeb on June 13, 2025, Ashis highlighted the immense pressure and sacrifices Charterhouse makes each year to deliver a world-class music awards event with minimal financial backing.
“We need to applaud Charterhouse for whatever they do and however it comes out. This is a privately-owned organisation with its own auditorium, no government backing, and they still go out to find their own sponsors,” he explained.
Comparing the TGMAs to global platforms like the BET Awards, Ashis noted the differences in resources.
“BET has huge brand sponsors with the financial muscle to give every artiste the room to maneuver. Charterhouse doesn’t have that kind of muscle,” he added.
The seasoned industry player also shed light on the behind-the-scenes challenges, including tight rehearsal windows and budget constraints.
“It takes two days to prepare everybody you see on that stage. Why? Because we don’t have the money to rent the auditorium and put generators on for a week. If they try that, by the day of the event, their money will run out,” he said.
Ashis didn’t shy away from calling out artistes as well, citing issues with punctuality and rehearsal discipline.
“An artist will not even come for rehearsals, but wants to perform. So, you cannot bash Charterhouse, they are doing their best,” he stressed.
While acknowledging that there is room for improvement, Ashis urged Ghanaians to appreciate the effort that goes into staging the TGMAs every year.
“It is not easy. I organise events, and I know how it is. You have to shave off a lot of your plans and make do with what’s available.”
His comments come amid ongoing conversations about the quality and future of Ghana’s premier music awards scheme.
Listen to the full discussion below:
— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) June 13, 2025
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