Ghanaian international flutist Dela Botri and his band Hewale Sounds have been awarded the Best International Cultural Act at this year’s Ghana Music Awards (GMAs) UK.

They beat Amamere Cultural Troupe, Adesa Taloi, Big Twins and Afrodat Troupe to bag the award.

The GMAs happened on Saturday, 29 October 2022, and was sponsored by Taabea.

The trained and acclaimed musician, composer, band leader and singer in an exclusive interview with Class News’ Prince Benjamin expressed his feelings about the award.

“I feel joyful,” he said.

His reason is: “It’s very important for my career. Every artiste needs awards.”

“Awards are achievements and fruits of the work one is doing,” he explained. “They also prove that society recognises your hard work.”

Nicknamed the Atenteben (flute) Magician, he could not make it to the event due to circumstances beyond his control.

“If I were there, as part of my acceptance speech, I would have thanked God for the gift and love he has invested in me. I am grateful and I am happy to be a Ghanaian.

“Also, I would have used the opportunity to state that we need to come together as one people in the music industry and on the political scene; we need to come together to move our country forward,” Dela Botri revealed.

The 16-track ‘Ghana Be Your Own’ and 16-track ‘All In One’ are the singer-songwriter and international music lecturer’s latest albums. He recorded them during the COVID pandemic lockdown in Ghana when he could not travel on tour as is typical of him and his Hewale Sounds band formed in 1996.

This year’s star-studded Ghana Music Awards UK, the sixth edition, happened at Royal Regency Palace and saw performances from Reggie Rockstone, KK Fosu, Tic, Samini, Prince Bright (Buk Bak), Kelvynboy, Sefa, MOG Music, Diana Hamilton, Joyce Blessing, Hajia4Real and others.

Ghanaian sensation Black Sherif was crowned the ultimate winner as he clinched the Artiste of the Year award.

The GMAs UK, organised to highlight and celebrate outstanding Ghanaian musical feats in the United Kingdom, is a yearly event organised by Mr Nii Ofori Tackie-Tetteh and Emmelio Tetteh, who own Alordia Promotions & West Coast UK respectively. 

Class Media Group’s Accra 100.5 FM was an official media partner for the 2022 Ghana Music Awards UK.