VGMA14 WISH LIST

In less than a week the annual Ghana Music Awards will come off. The event, which is the 14^th edition, is been sponsored by telecom giant Vodafone and this is the second year Vodafone has assumed the official sponsorship accolade.

Each year the organizers of the event, Charter House try to chip off the glitches or blunders of the previous event and this being the 14^th edition, I’ve drawn up 7 things I would wish to see on that day.

1. RESPECT TIME. It appears Ghanaians are good at most things but keeping to their time. This unholy behavior has on numerous occasions affected the commencement of shows. Most event organizers have ridden at the back of this excuse to keep time conscious patrons chained.

Charter House must break this trend- though they themselves have been caught in this mess on more than one occasion. They should stick to their time. They should respect those who’ll turn up early. After all, this won’t affect ticket sales since most, if not all would have been sold prior to the day.

2. IMPROVE SECURITY. Last year, and the years preceding that, security seem to have been one of the challenges for organizers. Last year, security persons were sourced from Cote D’Ivoire for what the organizers explained was to prevent ‘familiarization’.

That is, those in Ghana may allow some people in because they may know them so in other to prevent that security was exported from Cote D’Ivoire.

The complaint was these security persons harassed and heckled patrons attending the show and contributed to the late start of the show since they are illiterates in English.

Hope something worthy is done for one can’t pay GHc 200 for VIP tickets or GHc 100 and get manhandled at the gate.

3. SITTING ARRANGEMENT of nominees should be enhanced. We all watch the Grammys, BET Awards and Peoples’ Choice Awards and see how and where the nominees sit. The sitting arrangement is such that it is easier for the award winner to navigate through the people to the stage to receive the awards.

Last year, same happened at the VGMA13. All nominees were given front row treatment and that was commendable. I hope the arrangement stays that way.

And should an award winner be absent or not around, there shouldn’t be a pause in the ceremony. Somebody must be quick to claim it. Those who might be absent must ensure they notify the organizers of who will be taking the award on his/her behalf.

We don’t want to see anybody look sheepish on that stage especially those giving out the awards.

4. SHOW HOST. Fact is a show is as good as the host. Fact is also that Charter House has struggled to find that one MC with that ‘X-Factor’ to host that show after Kwame Sefa –Kayi. Charter House has experimented with various hosts, from KOD, KKD, Chris Attoh, Doreen Andoh to Samini and Obuor.

Except KKD (we know his pedigree), the various host have not cut it that well. Last year, DJ Black was the host and manned the show well (certain he'll host). If you ask me, I’ll say Kwame Sefa-Kayi must be drafted to host it. Hey, that’s my opinion.

5. PERFORMANCES: One of the criticisms of the VGMAs has to be with performances put up by guest artistes. They performances lack the oomph and sometimes tawdry. Patrons attend these shows to enjoy themselves and to be served a cold dished performance is a NO- NO.

Artistes must take their mic-check sessions and rehearsals serious. They should know that performing on that big stage is not a right but a privilege. Guest acts must give their best.

And the mics must be checked often. Having ones mic go off in the middle of a performance is really upsetting. It can kill the vim of the artiste. This mustn’t be glossed over. Nope!!

6. SPEECHES must be kept short. Some award winners want to do a roll call of everyone who has played a part in their quest to winning an award. Fair enough. But to go on ‘shout-outing’ everybody from God to grandmother to unborn kids is simply outrageous.

Yes, you get overwhelmed with joy on such occasions but simplicity is everything. One thing organizers can do is time the speeches and cut the mic of anybody who goes way off the time. Discipline is key. We don’t have all day people!

In addition is to limit the number of people who come on stage after an award winner is pronounced. Last year was great per this. I pray they keep it like that.

7. SCRIPTING is key. The event must be scripted to ensure great delivery and limit the flaws. From the red carpet interviews to the performances and awards to what the host will say or not must be written down and adhered to. Once the script is right, the show will pass as best. I hope they include a ‘Kanye West’ moment.

These are my top seven wishes for this year’s VGMAs.  Hope somebody will take some few points from it.