As good as Ghanaian musicians are, they always play second fiddle to the population inflated Nigerians. Awards in Africa suggests that Nigeria and to a large extent South Africa are on top of the music game. Ghana’s position so far as these awards are concerned doesn’t look encouraging.
No matter how much sentiments Ghanaians show, it will still not change anything.
Ghanaian musicians have always had nominations since the inception of the awards. In the maiden edition in 2008 ‘Kwaw Kese’ was nominated in the ‘Best New Act’ category. Ofori Amponsah’s song ‘Odwo’ was nominated in the ‘Listener’s Choice Award’.
Though they all failed to win their respective categories, Samini made name for himself as the first Ghanaian to win, as he was adjudged as the ‘Best Live Performer’ in Africa in 2009.
As event unfolds to make way for the 11th of December 2010, fans of Sarkodie or Ghanaians in general will stay glued and wait patiently for the category he is nominated in to be mentioned.
Sarkodie is nominated alongside Wande Coal from Nigeria, Daddy Owen of Kenya and South African’s Big Nuz in the ‘Best Anglophone‘. Ghanaians will be much interested and hope to hear, ‘the winner for the best Anglophone is … Sarkodie’.
But before Ghanaians continue to dream, let’s go through the 2 main reasons why Sarkodie might not win the MAMAs. This is not about who detests who. I will try as much as possible to be objective and it is only people in denial that will think otherwise.
Reason 1: Voting
Can any country in Africa compete with Nigeria when it comes to mass voting? For whatever reasons, Ghanaians don’t like voting. And any competitions that winners have to be decided by voting means the best does not always wins. This is not to mean any recipient of any awards, doesn’t merit it.
The Ghana man doesn’t like vote, when he or she does, it is because they like you, not because you are the best and deserves to win. I don’t want to blame the lack of voting in Ghanaians as the result of high tariffs charged by the telecommunication networks. I think it’s a natural habit of Ghanaians.
Maybe a different story would have been told if Ghanaians had voted for Nii (Joe) and Kesse during the MTN Project Fame West Africa season 1 and 2 respectively.
Perhaps Sammi B would have won or gone far in the first Big Brother Africa. Perhaps Ghana would not have gone to the Channel O awards and come home with nothing, but can Ghanaians votes surpass the Nigerians?
Samini deservedly won the Best Live Performer last year because that category was not voted for.
Reason 2: Popularity
Just like Ghana Music Awards which is popularity based awards; Sarkodie’s popularity will be tested on the continent. The second reason why he might not win this award is because he is only known and famous in Ghana, not really known on the continent.
Can the popularity of Wande Coal in Ghana and in Africa be contested? A school of thought says he is even popular than Sarkodie in Ghana. People on the streets I spoke to, agreed Sarkodie is good. They like him because he is a Ghanaian but likes Wande Coal’s songs more.
From my honest point of view, I think Wande Coal is the favourite to win this one (This is not to rule out the other nominees).
If Sarkodie doesn’t win the award, it will be because of the two reasons above, however, I will be ready for a surprise package.
People say, Sarkodie will win because he is signed on to Akon’s Konvict Music. Whether he is signed on Akon or not will not make any difference.
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