Talent manager Nana Poku Ashis has urged organisers of the TGMA awards to verify winners’ availability before announcing results on show night.
The reason, he argued is that absent artistes undermine the prestige of the ceremony and shortchange paying audiences.
In a fiery critique of how some award nights are run, Ashis said organisers, and by implication event producers such as Charterhouse, should adopt stricter rules.
In his opinion, when a nominated artiste fails to attend, the organisers should move to the next eligible winner rather than present the prize to an empty seat or a representative.
He warned that failure to enforce such a standard amounts to disrespect for the awards and the audience who pay to attend.
Ashis argued the policy would protect the integrity of the event and make the presentation more meaningful for fans, who travel and pay to witness winners receive their plaques in person.
You know, it’s a night of celebration. Some people travel from different places to come, and then you are not there to receive a plaque yourself. So, before you enter into the race, I think there should be standards which Charterhouse should ask. Will you be there? You have been nominated, if not, we need to take you out. It should be simple like that.”
Ashis’s remarks add to ongoing conversations about award-show standards and artiste professionalism and respectful to both fans and nominees.