The Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) has introduced a Swing Period policy to ensure that songs released late in the year receive fair consideration in the awards.

The policy, implemented in the 27th or 2026 edition of the awards, allows songs released in December to be considered in the following awards year, provided they meet specific eligibility conditions:

- The song must have been released in December of the eligibility year.

- It must have demonstrated measurable impact within the year under review.

- It must not have received a nomination in the previous edition of the awards.

According to the TGMA Board, the decision comes after three years of consultation with industry stakeholders and reflects the awards’ commitment to ensuring that impactful songs are not disadvantaged by release timing.

Under the new policy, two songs have already earned nominations in the 27th TGMA:

- “Messiah” by Sarkodie featuring Kweku Flick

- “Excellent” by Kojo Blak featuring Kelvyn Boy

Both tracks gained significant audience traction following their release, illustrating the type of late-year impact the Swing Period is designed to accommodate.

The TGMA Board says the policy strengthens the awards’ mission to recognise excellence, reflect industry realities, and celebrate the full impact of Ghanaian music.

They also highlighted that as the music industry evolves, with changing release cycles, digital consumption patterns, and global audience dynamics, the awards remain committed to refining processes to maintain credibility while ensuring deserving works receive recognition.