Ghanaian singer Wendy Shay has been crowned Artiste of the Year at the 2026 Ghana Music Awards USA, emerging as one of the biggest winners at this year’s ceremony.
The award adds to the singer’s growing list of honours and recognises her contribution to Ghana’s music industry during the year under review.
Wendy Shay emerged ahead of other contenders in the coveted category, taking home the top prize at the ceremony held in the United States.
Her win was among several notable victories for Ghanaian artistes at the awards, with Shatta Wale also receiving the Concert of the Year award.
Highlife musician Kwabena Kwabena was named Highlife Artiste of the Year, while gospel musician Piesie Esther secured two major awards — Gospel Artiste of the Year and Gospel Song of the Year.
The Most Popular Song of the Year award went to Medikal, Shatta Wale and Beeztrap KOTM for their song, Shoulder.
In the USA-based categories, Sena Awudi was named Emerging Artiste of the Year, while Ohemaa Daystar won New Artiste of the Year.
Cee Music took home Female Artiste of the Year, with Nana NYC winning Male Artiste of the Year. Rev Graceman was named Most Popular Artiste of the Year, while Joana Bidie won both Female Vocalist of the Year and Music Concert of the Year.
Other winners included Brother Ismeal, who was named Male Vocalist of the Year, and Royal Mama, who won Gospel Artiste of the Year USA.
Nii Oseye Adeleke won Highlife Artiste of the Year USA, while King Tozua’s Lies was named Highlife Song of the Year USA.
The ceremony also recognised collaborations and works across other genres, with Ahoto (Comfort) by Mz Nana featuring Obaapa Christy winning International Collaboration of the Year.
Samuel Sey was named Best International Act of the Year, while Gifty K featuring Piesie Esther won Gospel Song of the Year USA with Wo Do (Your Love).
Other USA-based winners included Sauce Lord, who won Afropop Song of the Year USA for Fatima, and Jamin Beatz, who was named Afropop Artiste of the Year USA.
The Ghana Music Awards USA celebrates Ghanaian music and artistes in Ghana and the diaspora, with the awards providing a platform to recognise their contributions to the growth and promotion of Ghanaian music internationally.
Full list of winners
Wendy Shay-Artiste of the Year
Shatta Wale – Concert of the year
Kwabena Kwabena – Highlife Artiste of the year
Piesie Esther- Gospel Artiste of the year
Piesie Esther- Gospel Song of the year
Medikal fr Shatta Wale and beeztrap KOTM, Shoulder Most Popular Song of the year
Emerging Artiste of the year USA- Sena Awudi
New Artiste of the year USA – Ohemaa Daystar
Female Artiste of the year USA – Cee Music
Male Artiste of the year USA – Nana NYC
Most Popular Artiste of the year USA – Rev Graceman
Female Vocalist of the year USA – Joana Bidie
Music Concert of the year USA – Joana Bidie
Male Vocalist of the year – Brother Ismeal
Highlife Artist of the Year USA: Nii Oseye Adeleke
Highlife Song of the Year: “Lies” – King Tozua
Hiplife and Hiphop Artist of the Year USA: Flavor and Fugeez
Hiplife and Hiphop Song of the Year USA: “Sika” – C Burn
Gospel Artist of the Year USA: Royal Mama
Music Video of the Year USA: “Overoo” – Millicent Yankey
International Collaboration: “Ahoto (Comfort)” – Mz Nana ft. Obaapa Christy
Best
International Act of the Year: Samuel Sey
Gospel Song of the Year USA: “Wo Do (Your Love)” – Gifty K ft. Piesie Esther
Afropop Song of the Year USA: “Fatima” – Sauce Lord
Afropop Artiste of the Year USA: Jamin Beatz
