Organisers of the Northern Movie Awards (NMA) have officially met with all nominees ahead of the 2026 edition of the scheme, sealing the engagement with a binding Nominee Participation & Awards Agreement — a move that has already sparked intense discussion within the film industry.
Among the key nominees who were part of the engagement are Hajia Jumai, Sakugli, and several other leading actors and creatives whose names dominate this year’s nominations list.
Awards Date Locked, No Room for Excuses
According to the agreement signed, the Northern Movie Awards ceremony is scheduled for 4th April 2026, a date nominees have formally acknowledged as final. Organisers made it clear that attendance, participation, and adherence to all outlined rules are non-negotiable.
Voting Structure Raises Eyebrows
Voting officially begins on 29th December 2025 and closes on awards night at 7:00 pm sharp, with any vote cast after 7:15 pm automatically invalidated. Each vote costs GHS 1, with winners determined through a blended system of 60% jury marks (including 5% social media scores) and 40% public voting.
Notably, there will be no runner-up recognition — a category either has one winner or none.
Prize Conditions: No Votes, No Extra Rewards
One of the most talked-about clauses states that nominees in categories without motorbikes or cars will only receive a 32-inch plasma TV and official plaque if their total votes reach a minimum value of GHS 5,000. Failure to meet this threshold gives organisers the right to withhold additional prizes, a condition that has already triggered debate online.
Motorbikes, Cars… But With Restrictions
Customized prizes such as motorbikes and cars come with a strict one-year restriction, during which winners are barred from selling, transferring, or disposing of the prize. Any attempt to do so within the restricted period would amount to a breach of contract.
In addition, nominees are prohibited from:
- Editing official flyers
- Adding personal contact numbers
- Designing alternative promotional materials
—all without prior approval from the awards committee.
Legal Consequences Loom
Perhaps the most controversial part of the agreement is the dispute resolution clause, which states that any nominee who breaches the agreement could be subjected to mediation and, if unresolved, legal action under Ghanaian jurisdiction.
This means that high-profile nominees, including Hajia Jumai, Sakugli, and others, could legally be dragged to court if they fail to comply with the terms they signed, after mandatory mediation sessions are exhausted. The organisers have reiterated that by accepting nomination, all nominees automatically agree to be bound by the agreement, and enforcement will be strict to protect the integrity of the awards.
