Wendy Shay Tops Ghana Music Awards Europe 2026 as Düsseldorf Celebrates Ghanaian Talent

The 2026 Ghana Music Awards Europe (GMAEU) wrapped up in Düsseldorf on Saturday, September 12, delivering a vibrant celebration of Ghanaian music, cultural identity and diaspora creativity. The ceremony, held at Tor 3 on Langenberger Straße, brought together artistes, industry professionals, entertainment figures and members of the Ghanaian community across Europe for an evening dedicated to artistry, recognition and cultural pride.

At the centre of the night’s headlines was Wendy Shay, who claimed the coveted Artiste of the Year award—cementing her status as one of the most influential Ghanaian performers on the international stage.

A Ceremony Bridging Ghana and Its Global Diaspora

The 2026 edition of GMAEU highlighted the increasingly global reach of Ghana’s music industry. With categories spanning both Ghana-based artistes and musicians thriving within Europe’s diaspora, the awards reinforced their mission: to connect Ghanaian music with international audiences while celebrating the full spectrum of Ghanaian sound—from highlife and gospel to hiplife and Afrobeats.

This year’s event followed weeks of anticipation, including nominee announcements and promotional activities that showcased a diverse field of established stars and emerging talents.

Wendy Shay Takes the Night’s Top Honour

The announcement of Wendy Shay as Artiste of the Year marked one of the ceremony’s defining moments. Post-event reports described the category as highly competitive, featuring several of Ghana’s most prominent performers. Her win adds another international accolade to her growing list of achievements and underscores the expanding global recognition of Ghanaian artistes.

Legendary Honour for Mrs. Akosua Serwaah Bonsu

A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Legendary Award to Mrs. Akosua Serwaah Bonsu, whose longstanding contributions to Ghanaian music and cultural heritage were celebrated with deep admiration. Her recognition added a commemorative dimension to the ceremony, honouring legacy alongside contemporary success.

Major Wins Across Ghana’s Music Landscape

Several of Ghana’s leading artistes secured significant honours:

Piesie Esther – Gospel Artiste of the Year
Kofi Kinaata – Highlife Artiste of the Year
Stonebwoy – Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year
Black Sherif – Hip Life/Hip Hop Artiste of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year
Kojo Blak – New Artiste of the Year
Medikal – Best Collaboration of the Year
Keche – Group of the Year

The awards also spotlighted emerging talent, with Kojo Blak’s win marking a major international milestone for the rising performer.

Celebrating Highlife, Gospel and Contemporary Sounds

The results showcased the breadth of Ghana’s musical traditions:

Highlife Song of the Year: “Aso Remix” – Kwabena Kwabena ft. Stonebwoy & Kofi Kinaata
Most Popular Song of the Year: “Kakalika” – Dope Nation
Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year: “Shake It to the Max Remix” – Moliy ft. Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy
Gospel Song of the Year: “Nyame Ye” – Piesie Esther

These wins reflected the dynamic interplay between Ghana’s classic genres and its contemporary soundscape.

Diaspora Artistes Shine on the European Stage

A defining feature of GMAEU is its recognition of Ghanaian musicians working across Europe. The 2026 diaspora categories honoured artistes, DJs, vocalists and songwriters whose contributions continue to expand Ghana’s musical footprint abroad.

Key diaspora winners included:

Samuel Sey – Best Diaspora Artist of the Year, Best Male Vocalist, Best Diaspora Video (“Way3 Bi”)
M Jay – Best Diaspora Hiplife-Pop Artist and Best Diaspora New Artiste
Rocky Gyasi Afffum – Best Diaspora Afrobeat Song (“Stay by Me”)
Emperor T‑Jiga – Best Diaspora Afrobeat Artist
Charity Adjei – Best Diaspora Gospel Artist
Juliana Wyle – Best Female Vocalist

These honours underscored the vibrancy and diversity of Ghanaian music beyond the country’s borders.

Düsseldorf as a Cultural Meeting Point

More than an awards ceremony, the Düsseldorf event served as a cultural convergence point—bringing together Ghanaian heritage, contemporary artistry and diaspora identity. The organisers emphasise GMAEU’s role not only as a platform for competition but as a space for collaboration, exposure and cultural exchange.

The recognition of Mrs. Akosua Serwaah Bonsu added a legacy element that balanced the celebration of emerging talent with the honouring of foundational contributors to Ghana’s creative history.

A New Chapter in Ghana’s Global Music Journey

The 2026 Ghana Music Awards Europe concluded with a snapshot of the artistes, songs, albums and cultural figures shaping Ghana’s evolving global music narrative. From Wendy Shay’s Artiste of the Year triumph to standout wins by Piesie Esther, Kofi Kinaata, Stonebwoy, Black Sherif, Dope Nation, Keche, Medikal and rising star Kojo Blak, the ceremony showcased multiple generations and genres within Ghana’s music ecosystem.

Equally significant was the spotlight on diaspora talent, reinforcing the interconnected nature of Ghanaian music across continents.

As the curtain falls on the 2026 edition, GMAEU leaves behind a vivid portrait of Ghanaian creativity flourishing on European soil—another chapter in the country’s expanding global music story.







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