Public Relations Officer for the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), Robert Klah, has clarified the scheme’s position on profane content, stating that while artistic freedom is recognised, there are clear boundaries when it comes to explicit material.
Speaking in a March 25 interview on HitzFM on Wednesday, Klah explained that the TGMA board does not endorse songs that promote explicit sexual content or violence.
“The board is not supportive of explicit sexual songs, and then if you are inciting violence”, he stated, while emphasising that artistic expression still plays a key role in the evaluation process.
He noted that while morality is important, creative works are still judged on their quality and intent. “Artistic expression needs to be evaluated on its merits,” he added.
According to him, the awards scheme balances morality with creativity by assessing songs based on their merits, while also considering the specific category in which they fall. He noted that certain genres, such as gospel, are held to stricter standards, whereas others, like Afrobeats, dance, and hip-hop may allow more flexibility due to cultural context.
Klah further explained that cultural nuances are central to how content is judged.
“Culture determines how certain things are positioned,” he said, adding that what may be considered explicit in one context could be viewed differently in another.
He also pointed out that the board differentiates between explicit and suggestive content, noting that suggestive lyrics, often conveyed in undertones or local expressions, may still be acceptable if they align with Ghanaian cultural norms.
“Some things can be suggestive. It doesn’t mean that it’s explicit,” he explained.
Klah stressed that the TGMA board applies a structured framework that considers category-specific rules, cultural relevance, and the broader operational guidelines of the scheme when determining nominations.
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