Gospel musician Joe Mettle has announced that he will not participate in the 2026 Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), describing the decision as a temporary break.

The multiple award-winning singer made this known during an interview on Hitz Praise Zone with Nii Noi, where he explained that he will be unavailable on the date scheduled for this year’s awards ceremony.

Joe Mettle clarified that his decision applies only to the 2026 edition and should not be interpreted as a permanent withdrawal from Ghana’s premier music awards scheme.

 As part of this break, he will not submit any of his works for nomination consideration, nor will he participate in activities related to the event.

Joe Mettle, who won Gospel Artiste of the Year, further confirmed that Charterhouse, organisers of the TGMA, have been formally informed and have acknowledged his position.

In 2027, Joe Mettle settled all arguments to make the strongest case for the gospel music family beating a stiff competition made up of Sarkodie, EL, Medikal, Stonebwoy and MzVee to be crowned the 2017 VGMA Artiste of the Year. 

And although his ‘victory’ broke the jinx of no gospel artiste ever going home with the ultimate award since the inception of the VGMA 18 at the time, the Owawani singer said at the win was also for every player in the gospel music fold.

And true to his words, gospel artiste, Diana Hamilton won the ultimate award in 2021, four years later.