Concerns about the Ghana Music Awards have resurfaced, but Robert Klah says criticism must be clearer and more focused if it is to be taken seriously within the industry.
Reacting to recent remarks by Kwaw Kese, who labelled the scheme “gob3,” the Head of Public Events and Communications at Charterhouse Ghana addressed the issue during an interview on Hitz FM on March 18, 2026. He stressed that the value of any criticism is often shaped by both the source and how well the concerns are defined.
“The meaning of whatever submissions depends on where it’s coming from. If you’re someone who’s an industry stakeholder and have been part of this scheme before, it’s usually a bit difficult to reconcile that statement with who you are or who we perceive you to be,” he said.
According to Klah, sweeping statements tend to blur the real issues, making it difficult to determine whether the entire awards structure is under scrutiny or just a specific part of it.
“Sometimes, the comments are too generic, and you’re wondering whether the person is speaking against the entire scheme or there’s a particular component that they wish to address.
“If there’s a particular issue you have, you need to be able to be specific and narrow it down to this particular aspect that has this problem. Constructively, you submit and say we should address this,” he stated.
He noted that differing viewpoints are unavoidable in the music space, adding that what appears to be a solid solution from one angle may not necessarily hold up when considered from a broader perspective.
“In certain cases, we just need to understand that, while something from your perspective be the best solution, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best solution because we all see things differently,” he shared.
Klah also turned attention to the potential consequences of unchecked criticism, cautioning that negative commentary can affect brands across the industry if not handled with care.
“There’s nothing wrong with engaging or trying to address it. We are all about brands, so imagine if we all sat here and spoke negatively about someone’s brand, it may have an impact on you. What you don’t want to be done to you to a certain extent, you also don’t want to do it to others.
“These are mixed signals that we get, but it’s part of the system, so we usually understand. With a lot of education, it’s sometimes easier for people to appreciate what we do, so we will keep on educating and hoping they understand,” Robert Klah further stated.
He ended by shifting the focus beyond the awards night itself, describing the scheme as a broader platform that plays a significant role in the music business.
“The Ghana Music Awards is not just a night of trophy presentation; it’s an entire ecosystem which has huge economic value and has value also for the artistes and for the music industry,” Klah explained.
