Gospel musician Joe Mettle has pulled back from participation in the 2026 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), saying he is currently prioritising a quieter and more intentional phase of his life centred on focus and personal direction.
The multiple award-winning artiste, who has enjoyed years of recognition at the scheme, emphasised that his decision should not be interpreted as disapproval of the TGMA. According to him, it is a personal and spiritual pause rather than a public statement against the awards.
He opened up about the decision during an interview with Bola Ray on Starr FM on April 30, 2026, explaining that the attention and debate that come with award nominations can be overwhelming, and he is not in a space to take that on at the moment.
“Many times when you are nominated and stuff, there’s so much you have to deal with. Responses and people’s thoughts; ones that believe you deserve, and those who think you don’t deserve. It’s not even about tiredness. I just feel like I’m in a place in my life where I need a bit of quietness to focus on certain things I believe this season of my life, God is leading me to do,” he said.
Mettle believes this phase calls for complete attention, insisting that distractions outside his current path need to be set aside.
“I can’t be distracted right now. So, anything else that is not part of the journey right now, I just wanted to put it on hold,” he said.
The popular Ghanaian gospel musician also made it clear that his choice is not rooted in any grievance or criticism of the awards body, but rather a matter of timing and personal conviction.
“I’m not downplaying or saying anything bad about the award. I’m just saying that at this time, I just want to take a backseat for now,” Joe Mettle clarified.
