The organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) are considering introducing a “Swing Period” to accept and review songs released late in the year under review.
This proposal was shared by the Communications Manager of Charterhouse, Robert Klah, during a discussion about the 2025 TGMA nomination process on Hitz FM.
Klah explained that the proposed swing period aims to address the disadvantage faced by songs released towards the end of the year, especially in popularity-based categories.
“That’s one of the key things we are looking at; we are calling it a Swing Period. If a particular song was released maybe late in the year, the board will have to make a decision with respect to what duration we should focus on — whether one week or two weeks or whatsoever.
“But if it should come that late, then we’re looking at giving the artiste an opportunity to have that reflect in the following year rather than in the year it is being released,” he stated.
He further clarified that while technical categories like Record of the Year and Vocal Performance, which are based on quality rather than popularity, can still consider late-year releases, popularity-based categories may not accurately reflect the impact of such songs.
“In terms of the popular-based categories, it will have some form of disadvantage,” Klah added.
The proposed Swing Period is currently under discussion, with a decision expected before the next edition of the TGMAs.
If implemented, it could provide an opportunity for late-year releases to compete in popularity-based categories.
The 2025 TGMA nomination criteria originally focuses on works commercially released between January 1 and December 31 of the year under review.
A panel of industry experts reviews the entries, and the final nominees are vetted by the TGMA board and other notable figures in the music industry.
The 2025 TGMAs ceremony is scheduled for May 3, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre, with a pre-party event on May 2.
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