The organizers of the Ghana Northern Music Awards (GNMA) have officially unveiled the full list of award categories for this year’s edition, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive and exciting celebrations of Northern talent.
The release of the categories marks the first major announcement from the scheme this year, signaling the readiness of the Board and planning committee to deliver a well-structured, inclusive and elevated awards experience. This year’s lineup reflects a broader scope, touching every corner of the northern creative ecosystem—from musicians and producers to dancers, bloggers, directors, and cultural influencers.
A total of over 50 categories have been announced, covering regional honours, genre-specific awards, technical achievements, excellence recognitions and special awards for cultural and lifetime contributions.
Among the top categories unveiled are:
- Overall Artiste of the Year
- Artiste of the Year for the Northern, Savanna, Upper West, Upper East, and North East Regions
- Hiplife/Hip-hop Artiste of the Year
- Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year
- Gospel Artiste of the Year
- Songwriter of the Year
- Best Collaboration of the Year
- Album/EP of the Year
- Music Video of the Year
- Best DJ of the Year
- Best Rapper of the Year
- Fanbase of the Year
- Traditional or Cultural Artiste of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Video Director of the Year
…and many more, including song-based categories such as Highlife Song of the Year, Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year, Afrobeat Song of the Year, and Viral Video of the Year.
The introduction of categories like Best Dance Challenge of the Year, Entertainment Blogger of the Year, and Unsung Act of the Year also signals GNMA’s recognition of the evolving digital landscape and the growing impact of creators beyond traditional music recordings.
Organizers say this year’s awards will celebrate not just popularity, but consistency, creativity, influence, regional representation, and overall contribution to the music and entertainment space.
With the unveiling now complete, the next phase is expected to include submission openings, board vetting, public voting timelines, and eventual announcement of nominees.
Northern Ghana’s entertainment community is already buzzing as artistes, managers and fanbases prepare to battle for the spotlight.
More information is available at www.gnmawards.com or via the official contacts listed by the organizers.
