The nominees for the 2022 Exclusive Men of the Year Africa Awards (EMY Awards) were announced at the weekend in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the presentation ceremony in October.

Established in 2015, the EMY Africa Magazine-organized awards seek to honour and celebrate eminent men exclusively. The program honors outstanding individuals in a variety of fields, including the creative arts, business, media, technology, sports, and health. At the 2021 edition, the organizers added the Woman of the Year and Young Achiever (Female) categories celebrate female achievers.

Musicians Black Sherif, KiDi, Joe Mettle, King Promise and Kofi Kinaata have all secured nods at this year’s edition of the ceremony. Black Sherif is nominated in the Discovery of the Year category, while KiDi, Joe Mettle, King Promise and Kofi Kinaata are competing for the most coveted Music Man of the Year category.

Voting is open to the public on the awards’ official website. Alternatively, fans can text ‘EMY’, followed by the name of their preferred nominee and category to 1393. Voting closes on 22 September.

Past recipients of the EMY Africa Awards have been inspirational men with accomplished or budding careers who have made important contributions to life in the Ghanaian community – journalists, community leaders, social workers, humanitarians, health workers, businessmen – exemplary men in all sectors.

Ghanaian musicians Ebo Taylor and Stonebwoy received the Music Legend of the Year and Music Man of the Year Awards at last year’s ceremony, respectively. At previous editions, the scheme recognised men like John Agyekum Kuffour, Sir Sam Jonah, Professor Joseph H.K. Nketia, Azumah Nelson and Adebola Williams, and more.

Below is the full list of nominees for the competitive categories:

Music Man of the Year

Joe Mettle
Kofi Kinaata
King Promise
KiDi
Discovery of the Year

Black Sherif
Free The Youth
Jeffrey Appiagyei
Yemoh Ike
Amartei Armah
Actor of the Year

Anthony Woode
Adjetey Anang
Mawuli Gavor
James Gardiner
Designer of the Year

Phil & Joe
Atafo
Atto Tetteh
Yartel