The Road to TGMA 2026 Begins: Charterhouse Opens Entries as Black Sherif Dominates Streaming Charts

ACCRA, GHANA — The race for Ghana’s most coveted music honors has officially begun. Charterhouse Ghana has announced the opening of the submission window for the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), signaling the start of the 2026 awards season.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the industry, following a year where Black Sherif once again asserted his dominance, closing 2025 as Ghana’s most-streamed artist.

The Call for Entries: What You Need to Know

Charterhouse officially opened the portal on Friday, January 16, 2026, inviting artistes, producers, record labels, and industry stakeholders to submit their works for consideration.

According to the board, the 27th TGMA will review works commercially released between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. The window is brief, with a strict deadline set for Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Submission Details:

• Deadline: February 8, 2026

• Eligibility: Works released in the 2025 calendar year.

• Portal: Entries must be submitted exclusively via www.entry.ghanamusicawards.com.

In a press statement, Charterhouse reiterated its commitment to transparency and excellence: "The Telecel Ghana Music Awards remains committed to celebrating excellence, innovation, and impact in the music industry, while providing a credible platform for recognition and industry growth."

The "Iron Boy" Factor: A Preview of the Competition?

While the submission window is open to all, industry watchers are already predicting a heavy presence from Black Sherif.

Fresh off the release of the 2025 Spotify Wrapped data, the Konongo-native was crowned Ghana’s Most Streamed Artiste of the Year for the third consecutive time. His 2025 campaign was defined by the massive success of his album Iron Boy, which claimed the top spot as the most-streamed album in the country.

His single "Sacrifice" became a national anthem, topping the charts as the most-streamed song of the year. With such overwhelming data backing his 2025 run, Black Sherif enters the 27th TGMA season as a formidable contender for the major categories, including Artiste of the Year—a title currently held by King Promise.

A Look Back: The 26th Edition

The 27th edition has big shoes to fill. The 26th TGMA (2025) was a historic night that saw King Promise finally clinch the elusive Artiste of the Year trophy, cementing his status as a global Afrobeats icon.

As the baton passes to the 2026 season, the question remains: Will King Promise defend his crown, will Black Sherif reclaim the throne, or will a new contender like the rising sensation Kweku Smoke (who placed second in 2025 streams) cause an upset?

Industry Reaction

For now, the focus shifts to the board and the academy as submissions pour in. Stakeholders are encouraged to file their entries early to avoid the last-minute rush.

With the submission window closing in just a few weeks, the countdown to Ghana’s biggest music night is officially on.