Ghanaian music duo Lali x Lola have urged organisers of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) to reinstate the “Group of the Year” category, which was left out of the 2026 nominations.

In a statement issued on March 17, 2026, the twin sisters voiced their disappointment over the decision, highlighting the need to continue recognising group acts within Ghana’s growing music industry.

“We write to respectfully express our concern regarding the omission of the ‘Group of the Year’ category from this year’s nominations. We understand the Board’s position that there may not be a sufficient number of qualifying groups to sustain the category. However, we believe this reasoning presents a classic ‘chicken-and-egg’ situation,” the duo noted.

The pair further argued that removing the category could hinder the very growth it is meant to support.

“The absence of the category may inadvertently contribute to the limited number of active and competitive music groups in Ghana. Award platforms such as TGMA play a critical role not only in recognising excellence but also in shaping industry behaviour and growth,” they added.

They stressed that keeping the “Group of the Year” category is vital to promoting the creation and longevity of music groups.

“By maintaining the category, the scheme actively encourages the formation, development, and sustainability of music groups. Conversely, its removal risks discouraging investment in group acts, which are already more complex to manage, brand, and sustain compared to solo artistes,” they said.

Lali x Lola also highlighted the role of music groups in enriching the industry, noting that they bring together varied talents, encourage collaboration, and often create impactful cultural moments beyond what solo acts achieve.

The duo ended with a strong but respectful appeal to the TGMA board: “We therefore respectfully appeal to the Board to reconsider this decision and reinstate the ‘Group of the Year’ category. Doing so would send a strong signal of support to existing groups and inspire emerging talents to explore collaborative artistry.

“In the long term, this decision will not only preserve an important aspect of our musical heritage but also contribute to a more diverse and competitive industry.”

The awards scheme had earlier scrapped the category in 2022 before bringing it back in 2025, when gospel group Team Eternity emerged as winners. However, the category has once again been excluded from the 2026 edition.

Meanwhile, 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.