Ghanaian musician Kuami Eugene has expressed concern that his songwriting abilities have not received adequate recognition from the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), saying he feels his contribution as a songwriter has often been overlooked.
Speaking in an interview, the award winning artiste, known for multiple hit songs and strong influence in Ghana’s contemporary highlife and Afrobeats scene, suggested that while his work as a performer has been acknowledged, his behind the scenes creative input has not been fully appreciated within major award categories.
“I feel my songwriting skills haven’t been appreciated enough by TGMA,” he said, adding that songwriting remains a core part of his identity as a musician and a key reason behind many of his successful records.
Kuami Eugene, who rose to fame after winning the MTN Hitmaker competition, has built a reputation for crafting catchy melodies and writing songs that have become commercial successes in Ghana’s music industry. Over the years, he has both performed his own compositions and contributed to works for other artists.
His comments have reignited discussions within the entertainment industry about how awards schemes evaluate songwriting compared to performance categories. Some industry observers argue that songwriting is often underrepresented in mainstream award recognition despite being central to music creation and success.
Supporters of the artiste believe his concerns reflect a wider issue affecting many musicians who contribute significantly to songwriting but receive more attention for performance than composition. Others, however, maintain that award selections are based on specific criteria and competition within each category.
The Telecel Ghana Music Awards remains Ghana’s most prestigious music award platform, recognising achievements across multiple genres, including highlife, hip hop, gospel, and afrobeats. Over the years, it has played a major role in shaping public recognition of artists and influencing industry standards.
Kuami Eugene’s remarks are expected to spark further debate ahead of future award seasons, especially regarding how songwriting categories are judged and whether they adequately reflect creative contributions behind hit songs.
Despite his concerns, Kuami Eugene continues to remain one of Ghana’s most influential contemporary musicians, with a strong catalogue of hits and collaborations that have shaped the modern sound of Ghanaian music.
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