Gospel artiste Joe Mettle has disclosed that he will not be part of this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), clarifying that the choice is a short-term break and not a total exit from the scheme.

In an interview on Hitz Praise Zone hosted by Nii Noi, Joe Mettle stated, “I won’t be available on the date scheduled for the 2026 awards, so I will be taking a break from the event this year.” He further noted, “This is only for this edition. It doesn’t mean I am stepping away from TGMA permanently.”

As part of his decision to step aside, the celebrated gospel singer will neither present his songs for nomination nor take part in events connected to the awards. He revealed that Charterhouse, organisers of the TGMA, have officially been notified and have accepted his decision.

Looking back on his journey, Joe Mettle recounted a defining achievement in 2017 when he secured the VGMA Artiste of the Year title, triumphing over contenders such as Sarkodie, EL, Medikal, Stonebwoy, and MzVee.

“That win was not just for me,” he said. “It was a victory for the entire gospel music family in Ghana, proving that our voices and our work matter on the national stage.”

He also highlighted the growing influence of gospel music in the awards space, noting that four years later, in 2021, fellow gospel artiste Diana Hamilton claimed the ultimate award.

Joe Mettle’s temporary pause comes as he focuses on other creative projects, promising fans that he will return stronger for future editions of TGMA.