Former editor of Graphic Showbiz, Nanabanyin Dadson receives TGMA Titan award

The former Editor of Graphic Showbiz, Nanabayin Dadson has been honoured with the Telecel Ghana Music Award (TGMA) Titan award at the TGMA Industry Mixer held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Friday, June 6.

A key figure in Ghana’s arts and music industry, Mr Dadson, who played a pivotal role in shaping the TGMA’s early years is currently serving as Head of the Department of Journalism, Visual and Digital Communication at the African University Communications and Business (AUCB).

He was instrumental in helping establish the awards, serving as a creative director and directing the show multiple times and his contributions to promoting Ghanaian arts and music have been invaluable. 

Presenting the award, Theresa Ayoade, CEO of Charterhouse, organisers of Ghana Music Awards said, I remember about 25 years ago that we started this journey of Ghana Music Awards, he was one of the people with the most powerful pen in the arts.

“He was then the Deputy Editor of Graphic Showbiz and was the number one authority in the arts so had this beautiful dream of establishing an awards ceremony to appreciate and celebrate Ghanaian musicians, he was the first person to bring into our corner to help us tell the stories of the beautiful and great work our artistes were doing.

“He was an able supporter. He was able to rally everybody around, and he was also one of the brains behind the scheme,” she said.

She stated that Nanabanyin Dadson wore many hats, including creative director, where he directed the show multiple times. 

“He was also the creative director as well. He also directed the show at least five or six times. He was a writer, Deputy Editor and also a creative genius. His accolades are far more than what people know and he is very dear to our hearts” she stated.

Upon receiving the honour, Mr Dadson expressed his surprise and gratitude, saying, “I’m used to writing so when it comes to speaking, I am dumbfounded. This evening, I’m even more dumbfounded because I wasn’t expecting this. 

“I left the newsroom 10 years ago and I’m really surprised Charterhouse still remembers me. So thank you so much, I will always cherish this acknowledgement,” he said. 

From his early days writing for The Mirror and Daily Graphic, to becoming the influential Editor of Graphic Showbiz, Nanabanyin Dadson brought clarity, depth and consistency to arts and tourism journalism in Ghana.

He did more than just report; he advocated, educated and elevated the discourse on music, theatre, film and tourism.

 His impact extended beyond newspapers. His works have appeared in West Africa Magazine, African Concord, Africa Asia and even the Torino Film Festival Magazine. His name is cited in Manthia Diawara’s academic work, African Cinema, Politics and Culture – a testament to the weight his commentary carried.