Ghanaian musician Vudumane, currently based in the United States, has expressed his frustrations towards Charterhouse, the organizers of the prestigious Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), for their alleged neglect of Ghanaian musicians residing abroad.
Vudumane, known for producing remarkable songs, claims that the VGMA scheme has consistently failed to acknowledge the contributions of Ghanaian musicians living outside the country and has called for their inclusion in the awards program.
During an interview, Vudumane emphasized the need for the VGMA scheme to expand its horizons beyond Ghana and recognize the achievements of other talented creatives who are tirelessly promoting Ghanaian music on the international stage.
"We are passionately pursuing our musical aspirations abroad, and some of us are even producing music of superior quality compared to many artists back home. It is disheartening to witness our own people, including the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and 3Music, marginalize us during panel discussions and award ceremonies," Vudumane lamented.
He further argued that these musicians residing outside Ghana deserve equal recognition for their hard work and dedication, just like their counterparts in the Ghanaian diaspora.
"This sentiment is not exclusive to me; numerous Ghanaian musicians residing abroad have expressed their dissatisfaction with the awards scheme's failure to involve them. Consequently, many Ghanaian musicians outside the country feel overlooked and undervalued," Vudumane added.
Vudumane urged the establishment of an awards scheme that acknowledges the tireless efforts and dedication of Ghanaian musicians residing abroad, emphasizing that the time has come for their talents to be duly recognized.