Two of Ghana's awards-winning dancehall artistes, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy, have been nominated for this year's edition of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

The event which is being sponsored by Martin International will take place on Sunday, October 16, 2016, at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, in Florida, USA.

Shatta Wale has been nominated in the Best Music Video ('Chop Kiss') and Best African Song/Entertainer categories, whilst Stonebwoy, who is currently on Europe tour, has also been nominated in the Most Promising Entertainer category. Voting ends on September 8, organisers said.

This year's edition of the event saw 160 nominees, including Tarrus Riley with the highest nominations (four categories), followed by the reggae royal family; Morgan Heritage, Sean Paul, Skip marley and Major Lazer with three nominations each.

Other nominees include Christopher Martin, Nezbeth, Jah Cure, Ziggy Marley, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Etana, PopCaan, Spice, OMI, Inner Circle, Sly & Robbie, JBeatz, Klass, Daniel Musgrove, Alkaline and Kofi Olomide.

The awards scheme, established in 1982, acknowledges and honour the accomplishments and contributions of reggae and world music artistes, including songwriters, performers, promoters and musicians.

Shatta Wale won the Best New Entertainer Award in the 2014 edition of the International Reggae and World Music Awards.

He was nominated alongside Daniel Bambatta Marley (Jamaica), MC Norman (Uganda), Alkline (Jamaica), Dabo (Tanzania) and Kranium (Jamaica).

By George Clifford Owusu