Renowned entrepreneur and consultant to the Recording Academy’s CEO, Lady Dentaa Amoateng, has made a passionate appeal to Ghanaians in the music industry to take proactive steps toward becoming members of the Recording Academy, the body responsible for organizing the Grammy Awards.
In an interview with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM on September 23, 2025, Dentaa stressed that Ghana’s prospects of winning Grammy Awards would continue to be limited if more Ghanaian music professionals do not become members of the Academy. She emphasized that participation in the voting process is key to ensuring that Ghanaian music receives the global recognition it deserves.
“The process of the Grammy Awards is that you have to be a member of the Recording Academy to vote. It is not voted by Harvey Mason Jr. It is voted by producers, musicians — people in that industry. So you have to be part of that. And it is in America. So people that are voting, they don’t know your music. So more of us [Ghanaians] have to join the membership to be able to vote,” she explained.
When asked how one could become a member of the Academy, Dentaa said the process was straightforward and accessible online. “It’s easy. It’s on the website. It’s a very simple process. You actually need two references — someone to verify that you are who you are: one that is already a member of the Academy and one that is not, so they can recommend that you are a producer or a musician,” she added.
Dentaa further addressed growing concerns about non-Africans being eligible for the Best African Music Performance category at the Grammys. She noted that increasing African participation within the Academy would help resolve such issues and ensure fairer representation of African artists.
“That is why we need Africans to be able to vote. If you are on the Board, you have voting rights. There are meetings that they go through the process, so if there are more of us on that platform, then you won’t get non-Africans infusing in that category too much. So I think it is really important,” she stated.
Lady Dentaa also revealed her intention to launch a campaign that will encourage more Ghanaians to join the Academy. She believes that greater involvement from Ghanaian professionals — from producers to songwriters and instrumentalists — will amplify the nation’s influence in the global music space.
Currently, the Recording Academy boasts over 16,000 members, including more than 13,000 voting members. Voting members consist of recording artists, songwriters, composers, producers, engineers, mixers, mastering engineers, instrumentalists, and arrangers. The Academy also accommodates professional members such as artist managers, publicists, label executives, publishers, agents, entertainment lawyers, business managers, and live event producers. Additionally, there is a category known as GRAMMY U, comprising university students pursuing music or related studies who aspire to build careers in the industry while gaining mentorship opportunities.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian music executive Richie Mensah, known widely as the CEO of Lynx Entertainment, has been announced as a new voting member of the Recording Academy. The celebrated producer and artist shared the news with fans through social media, expressing gratitude for the recognition.
In a Facebook post, Richie wrote, “Thank you Recording Academy for the honour,” accompanied by an official graphic confirming his inclusion. His appointment has been met with widespread excitement in Ghana’s entertainment industry, with many hailing it as a breakthrough moment that could pave the way for more Ghanaian representation in the global music awards system.
Though a few Ghanaians have already joined the Academy but have chosen to remain private about their membership, Richie’s decision to make his appointment public is seen as a major step forward. Industry stakeholders believe that his achievement could inspire other Ghanaian creatives to follow suit.
Richie Mensah’s impact on the Ghanaian music landscape is undeniable. As a producer and talent developer, he has nurtured several of the country’s most successful musicians, including Kuami Eugene, KiDi, Asem, Eazzy, MzVee, DopeNation, Zigi, and the late OJ Blaq. Under his Lynx Entertainment label, he has helped shape a generation of artists whose music continues to dominate charts across Africa and beyond.
Lady Dentaa, known for her influential role in bridging the gap between African creatives and international opportunities, remains optimistic that Ghana can attain Grammy success with stronger participation in the Academy. She believes that active involvement, collaboration, and visibility within the Grammy system will ensure that the unique sound and artistry of Ghanaian music receive the global acknowledgment they deserve.
Her message serves as a wake-up call to Ghanaian musicians, producers, and other music professionals to take deliberate steps toward being part of global institutions that influence the industry. “We have the talent, we have the sound, and we have the culture — all we need is to get involved where decisions are made,” she concluded.
Through Dentaa’s advocacy and Richie Mensah’s milestone achievement, Ghana’s journey toward Grammy recognition appears more promising than ever, reflecting a new chapter for the nation’s creative industry.
