The Organizers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) have announced the introduction of a new “Swing Period” policy aimed at ensuring songs released late in the year receive fair recognition within the awards scheme.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 16, 2026, the awards board explained that the new policy has been implemented in the 27th edition of the awards to address concerns that impactful songs released in December often miss out on nominations due to the timing of the eligibility window.
According to the organizers, the Swing Period will allow songs released in December of the eligibility year to be considered in the following awards year, provided they meet strict eligibility requirements.
To qualify under the new policy, a song must:
• Have been released in December of the eligibility year
• Have demonstrated measurable impact within the year under review
• Not have received a nomination in the previous edition of the awards
The board indicated that the decision follows three years of engagement with industry stakeholders and reflects the award’s commitment to ensuring that deserving songs are not disadvantaged by their release timing.
Under the newly introduced policy, two songs have already benefited from the rule in the 27th edition of the awards. These include “Messiah” by Sarkodie featuring Kweku Flick, and “Excellent” by Kojo Blak featuring Kelvyn Boy.
The organizers noted that both songs gained significant traction and audience engagement after their release, highlighting the exact situation the Swing Period policy seeks to address.
The awards scheme, organized by Charterhouse, believes the policy will strengthen its mission to recognize excellence in Ghanaian music while reflecting the evolving dynamics of the industry, including changing release cycles, digital consumption patterns, and global audience trends.
