Gospel singer wins top Ghana music award for first time in 17 years

Gospel music singer Joe Mettle has made history as the first gospel artiste in 17 years to win the ultimate honours at Ghana’s topmost music awards ceremony on Saturday in the capital Accra.

The 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards saw Joe Mettle, real name Joseph Oscar Mettle, crowned Artiste of the Year, beating top artistes from the HipHop and Ghanaian Hip-life genres including BET and MTV Awards winner Sarkodie.

Artiste Of The Year Recipient Is Joe Mettle jmettle #VGMAs2017 pic.twitter.com/Mmqg94dnun

— Ghana Music Awards (GHMusicAwards) April 9, 2017

Ahead of the ceremony, Mettle said he was hopeful of winning despite concerns and media debate over the quality of gospel music produced in the country.

“By God’s grace I have had people, some of whom I don’t even know, campaign for votes for me. We have done our best. It’s left with the Academy and Board to decide but I am 100% hopeful of winning,” he told local radio Citi FM.

With a lot of backing and support, the all-white clad Mettle won the Gospel Artiste of The Year award, Best Male Vocalist of the Year and the Artiste of the Year that night.

“For every gospel musician in this house, I want to say that the door is open,” he said during his acceptance speech.

God did it! Artiste of the year. You made it happen #VGMAs2017

— Joe mettle (@jmettle) April 9, 2017

#PulseEvents
Congrats jmettle
Artiste of the Year ✅
Gospel Artiste of the Year ✅
Best Male Vocalist ✅
"The door is open"#VGMAs2017 pic.twitter.com/9glxvzeHGU

— Pulse Ghana (PulseGhana) April 9, 2017

Joe Mettle has released several gospel songs and won multiple awards with hits including “Akokyem Nyame”; “Medo Wo”; “Ayeyi Nnwom”; “Jehovah Praise”; and “Onwanwani”.

The Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, which is in its 18th year, honours Ghana’s Gospel, Hip-life, Hip hop, Highlife, Afro Pop, Reggae and dancehall and Traditional musicians, including music industry players who have excelled during the year under review.

“The Award Scheme has become the barometer by which Ghanaian musicians measure their success each year and undoubtedly serves as an inspiration and aspiration to the entire music industry,” organisers and event management firm Charterhouse explained.

Below are some mixed reactions from Ghanaians on Twitter.

Congrats jmettle - dunno your music, but I'll be checking it out. Sthg tells me it's going to be CwesiOteng type vibes. #VGMAs2017 #Ghana

— Jemila Abdulai (@jabdulai) April 9, 2017

The gospel performance was the best #VGMAs2017

— DownTownGal👅 (@efya_spark) April 9, 2017

You know hell is a sure banker for you when you've never heard a single song by the Artiste of the Year #GodForgiveMe #TeamJesus #VGMAs2017

— Mr.Right🤐 (@calebeshun) April 9, 2017

iamedem #VGMAs2017 Does it mean he gets to represent 🇬🇭 at the next BET awards?Wt tht local gospel? 😒maybe another miracle.Jst can't think far #Ayoo

— Romeo (Da_real_Roo) April 9, 2017

Indeed God is turning everything around for our good. We will be é head and not the tail. Congratulations jmettle . Esa Bo waaa #VGMAs2017

— Ama Agyemang (agyemangama) April 9, 2017

When you're a Joe Mettle fan and you want to show your appreciation to God on a Palm Sunday…. #VGMAs2017 #vgma2017 #palmsunday pic.twitter.com/q4MAqQKaYD

— REACTION (@Reaction4u) April 9, 2017

Ahhh how?. Was he the only nominee of the night? Joe mettle didn't merit that award going by the #VGMAs2017 own criteria. Shameful https://t.co/oYlMe9NmXC

— Trap 🇬🇭 (@Traplar) April 9, 2017

wow! just learnt Joe Mettle won the artists of the year. To God be the Glory #VGMAs2017 He really deserves it.

— ♣♪Sam♪Gidi♪☀ (@SamG_official) April 9, 2017