Efua Black and Miss Walters earn spots on Praise Achievement Awards 2026 nominees list after successful petitions

Two Ghanaian gospel music acts, Efua Black and Miss Walters, have secured places on the official nominees list for the 5th Edition of the Praise Achievement Awards (PAA) 2026, after their petitions for reconsideration were approved by the Awards Board.

The Board and Executives of the Praise Achievement Awards announced the outcome of the petition window, which ran from 19 to 23 October 2026, confirming that both entries met the required criteria for inclusion following a thorough review of submissions and supporting documentation.

Who made it in and for what

Efua Black's Holy Ghost Concert 2025 has been added to the Christian Music Event of the Year category, while Miss Walters earns recognition in the Urban Gospel Song of the Year category for her track 'Finding Hope'. Both nominees have been incorporated into the updated official PAA 2026 nominees list and are now fully eligible to compete in their respective categories.

The Awards Board extended congratulations to both acts and expressed appreciation to all artistes, management teams, and eligible stakeholders who participated in the petition process in good faith.

What this means for Ghana's gospel music scene

The Praise Achievement Awards serves as one of Ghana's key platforms for recognising excellence in gospel music and Christian creative arts. By maintaining a transparent petition process, the organisers reinforce a system that allows deserving work to receive a fair hearing even after the initial nominations phase.

For gospel artistes in Ghana, whose work often receives less mainstream commercial attention compared to Afrobeats or highlife, awards platforms such as the PAA play a crucial role in visibility, validation, and career development. The inclusion of an Urban Gospel Song of the Year category, in particular, reflects the growing fusion of contemporary sounds with Christian messaging — a trend that has gained significant traction among younger Ghanaian audiences.

The petition window mechanism also sets a standard for accountability within Ghana's creative arts awards space, offering a structured channel through which stakeholders can challenge omissions rather than resorting to public disputes.

About the Praise Achievement Awards

Now in its 5th edition, the Praise Achievement Awards is a dedicated gospel music and creative arts recognition platform committed to honouring outstanding contributions to Christian music and expression in Ghana. The awards celebrate artistes, event organisers, and creatives who advance the gospel through their work, providing a formal stage for a sector that continues to grow in both reach and influence across the country and the diaspora.

With the updated nominees list now finalised, attention turns to the full awards ceremony, where Efua Black and Miss Walters will compete alongside previously announced nominees in their categories.