Ghanaian songstress Wendy Asiamah Addo, popularly known as Wendy Shay, has been crowned Best Female Artist (West Africa) at the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held in Nigeria.
The award-winning singer beat strong competition from fellow Ghanaian acts Amaarae and Moliy to take home the prestigious honour, further cementing her place as one of West Africa’s leading female musicians.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Wendy Shay expressed deep gratitude to God, her fans, and the partners who have supported her throughout her music journey.
“I want to say a very big thank you to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,” she said, before appreciating her loyal fan base, the Shay Gang, as well as her label Rufftown Records and distribution partners 1RPM for standing by her over the years.
Despite recent public tensions, the singer was accompanied to the event by Tracy Shay, whom she openly acknowledged on stage. Wendy credited Tracy for the viral success of her hit song Too Late, saying the track gained massive attention because of Tracy’s dance to it.
Reflecting on her journey in the music industry, Wendy Shay used the moment to encourage upcoming artists, especially women, not to give up on their dreams. She spoke candidly about the challenges she faced as a female artist in a male-dominated industry, revealing that her entry into music was marked by intense bullying and criticism.
“It’s not easy to be a female artist in this industry,” she noted. “Anyone who knows my story knows I didn’t have it easy when I entered the industry, but thank God I am here today.”
She urged young artists to see her journey as proof that perseverance pays off, adding, “I went through a lot, but I stood my ground. Use Wendy Shay as an example and don’t give up.”
Wendy Shay also thanked AFRIMA for allowing her to represent West African female artists and expressed her excitement about visiting Nigeria for the first time through the awards scheme. In a light-hearted moment, she told the audience the experience meant a lot to her, dedicating the win to Ghana and calling on the world to watch out for more great talents from the country.
The night was crowned with a powerful performance, during which Wendy Shay proudly raised the Ghanaian flag, delivering what many described as a magical showcase of Ghana’s vibrant music on an international stage.
Her AFRIMA win marks another major milestone in her career and reinforces her growing influence across Africa and beyond.
