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History was made last Saturday at the Accra International Conference Centre as Joe Mettle became the first Gospel act to be adjudged Artiste of the Year at Charterhouse-organised Ghana Music Awards.

For seventeen years of its inception, gospel artistes had earned as many nominations as their secular colleagues but had not been able to clinch the topmost award.

The development coupled with Joe Mettle’s achievements the year under review, led to several gospel artistes and entertainment pundits throwing their weights behind him and calling for the crown to be bestowed on him which eventually saw the light of day.

Joe Mettle beat competition from Sarkodie, EL, Stonebwoy, MzVee and Medikal. He was also adjudged Gospel Artiste of the Year.

Stonebwoy also made history as the only act to win the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year and Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year for three consecutive years.

VVIP defended two titles: Best Group of the Year and Best Collaboration of the Year with their ‘Alhaji’ song which featured Patoranking.

For the first time, Flowking Stone walked home with an award as his song ‘Go Low’ beat Guru’s ‘Samba’, Donzy’s ‘Club’, Sarkodie’s ‘RNS’, Criss Waddle’s ‘Bie Gya’, Kofi Kinaata’s ‘Sweetie Pie’ and ‘Alhaji’ by VVIP to win Hiplife Song of the Year.

For his outstanding contribution to the music industry, Papa Yankson was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award which he dedicated to his mentor, C.K Man.

As predicted by many entertainment critics, Runtown who was the only African act invited to the event, picked African Artiste of the Year award.

The colourful event solely hosted by Anita Erskine of Starr FM saw performances from Sarkodie, Kofi Kinaata, Ernest Opoku, Nacee, Adina, Akwaboah, EL, Runtown and a host of others.