Young musicians and music professionals in Accra have a chance to learn from some of the industry's biggest names. Singer Gyakie, rapper M.anifest and producer Juls have been named mentors for the Accra edition of the Martell Swift Academy, according to a report by 3News.
The academy is a talent development programme for emerging artists and music professionals, offering mentorship, skills development, peer networks, industry access and financial grants, 3News reports. It is curated by Africa House and backed by cognac maker Maison Martell.
The Accra edition follows the programme's first edition in Nairobi, Kenya, which included 25 creatives from the region.
Alongside Gyakie, M.anifest and Juls, the mentors include music executive Therese Ohemaa Akua Jones and Maxwell Adjevon, founder of iMullar and a music journalist, according to the report. They will cover songwriting, production, brand management and global distribution.
Each brings a different strength. Gyakie is one of Ghana's most successful singers internationally, M.anifest is an acclaimed rapper and songwriter known for his lyricism, and Juls is a producer and DJ whose work has shaped the sound of many Afrobeats and Afro-fusion records.
The programme is open to emerging artists, producers, songwriters and music business professionals based in Accra. Applications opened on October 27, 2026, and close on November 6, 2026, 3News reports.
Applicants must submit a portfolio and registration details online through the official Martell Swift Academy platform. The programme is free for those selected, who will also receive professional tools to support their careers.
The programme includes practical workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions. Organisers say expansion to other African creative hubs will be announced after the Accra and Nairobi cohorts are complete.
The appointment comes during a busy period for two of the mentors. Gyakie recently announced a December 12 comeback concert at Ghud Park in Accra, ahead of her upcoming album Midnight. M.anifest celebrated the tenth anniversary of his album Nowhere Cool with a live concert at the Accra Polo Club on October 24.
Emerging artists in Ghana often struggle to access the knowledge, networks and funding needed to build sustainable careers. Last month, artiste Jay Nice told Graphic Showbiz that young acts struggle to stage their own shows. Programmes that combine mentorship with grants and industry connections can help bridge that gap.
Lessons on brand management and global distribution are especially valuable at a time when streaming platforms give Ghanaian artists access to audiences worldwide, but competition for attention is intense.
Mentorship from established artists can help emerging talent avoid common mistakes, from signing unfair contracts to neglecting their publishing rights. Hearing directly from artists who have toured internationally and worked with global labels gives participants practical insight that is hard to get from books or online courses.
Global brands are increasingly investing in Africa's creative industries through sponsorships, academies and content partnerships. For brands, such programmes build credibility with young audiences; for creatives, they offer resources that are often hard to find elsewhere.
By choosing Accra for its second edition, the programme is recognising Ghana's place as one of Africa's leading music hubs. The city's artists, studios and festivals have helped make Ghanaian sounds such as Afrobeats, highlife, hiplife and drill popular well beyond the country's borders.
Interested applicants have until November 6 to submit their portfolios through the official Martell Swift Academy platform. Those selected will join a cohort of young creatives learning directly from some of the most respected names in Ghanaian music.
