Ghana Gospel Fest Kicks Off With A "Bang"

The prophet shows his latest dance moves Historical, inspirational, emotional, motivational and spiritual, Newark Symphony hall was "SHAKING". Arguably the most anticipated emotionally charged event. The city of New Jersey was on "Fiiiiiiiiire" this Saturday, October 16th. Gospel music has never seen anything like it.

There was so much music for the gospel music fans at the show to be happy about. A pool of Gospel music powerhouses live on stage and one of Ghana's success stories would make you say "Amen, Amen Amen".

The fans wanted to her real music that comes with anointing and see their favourite stars and they got them.  The show kicked off in New Jersey at the Newark Symphony Hall in Downtown Newark.

Rev. Owusu Ansah started with prayers and MAGMAY, Philadelphia's finest Ghanaian dynamic gospel duo set the stage with their two hits including "Awurade yeyi waye daa"., Pastor Audrey Mason who has been making noise with her new CD, "Praise Him" also sang an inspirational song from her debut album.

Judgement Day, a group founded by Felicity Amoah and Joe Mens followed and then came New Jersey's Ghanaian Gospel great, Felicity Amoah who led the way for Suzie  & Matt. 

Suzzie & Matt jumped off the emotional trail with songs to inspire which made the crowd be on their feet and praising God.  Do you know who Yaw Sarpong is?  He is a veteran Gospel Music Star with over 25 years-30-experience in the business. 

Nana Yaw Sarpong affectionately called, he is well loved, famous and hot like "fire" in Ghana.  Since it is his first time in the USA, he wanted to connect with his fans which have supported his career over the years. 

Yaw Sarpong's songs are full of stories anyone can relate to.  Apparently he has a huge follow up in the US.  It was after he left the stage when this particular great man of God, humble, well loved and respected, one of  the  world's wealthiest men, President Kufour's adviser, an industrialist whose brand is used by everyone in Ghana, a great success story that anyone can relate to, was introduced. He walked on stage; the man and the legend; Reverend Dr. Kwabena Darko, MD/Chairman of Darko Farms & Co. Ltd; also known as "Akoko Darko" or simply "Darko Farms".  

Rev. Darko gave an inspiring story about how he started his empire from nothing to a multimillion dollar business.  He lost his father at the age of 7 and his mother raised  the  children by herself with discipline, the fear of God, responsibility and a vision.  He told the audience that they have to be credit worthy in life, responsible and always ask God for whatever they set their eyes on and they would achieve it. 

He said during the start  of his business, the bank refused him a loan to start the business but he never gave up.  He encouraged, inspired and motivated the audience which led to a huge round of applause and many in the audience having the opportunity of a life time to take pictures with him. 

When Rev. Darko finished with prayers, there was one particular name that everyone wanted to hear afterwards, "Mehuri So", SETH FRIMPONG, the dancing prophet, the one who now has "Superstar" to his name and who would give Adjetey Sowah, Kojo Antwi, Daddy Lumba or any singer on stage, a run for his money. 

Seth Frimpong came to the stage with a mission, to inspire and motivate the crowd so that they can go home with something they had not experienced in their lifetime.  He prophesized that after the show, any in the audience would get anything they have requested from God; ranging from-marriage, child birth, immigration, jobs, business, debts, Spiritual Healing and any thing that anyone requested.

He was great on stage, he showed his dance moves, was well connected with the audience and they never stopped dancing to his great and favorite songs like " Mehuri So, Se nea nyame animonyam ade ade" and more.  The audience kept asking for more and more and more. "Wompe wei na wope dien" as a lady in the audience mentioned.  He was showered with money, the crowd was all over him and his music was the term "off the chain or banging".

Simply it was an emotional, educated, historical, inspiring night for everyone. The audience got their money's worth because after all the great performances, the proceeds are for a good cause.  Africa Vista foundation has put together a package that has never happened before on American soil.  They deserve the credit and the support. 

Gospelfest is coming to a city near you so take this opportunity of a life time and don't miss it.   Mr. CNN of Ghanaweb and Michael Osei of Dondoweb were members of the media present.  Coverage would also be featured in various newspapers in Ghana and the local Ghanaian newspapers in the US.

Ghana GospelFest is an annual gospel festival held worldwide to dynamically communicate our rich and intertwined culture and Christian ministry through the celebration of Ghanaian Gospel music. The festival also awards gospel musicians for their efforts to promote charity, culture and economic development.

All net proceeds from the Ghana Gospel Fest 2004 will be used to rehabilitate the Women and Children's Maternity Ward at Korle-Bu Hospital, the largest hospital in Accra, Ghana.

The Gospel Fest will be held in October 2004 in four major states:

Newark Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ - (October 16, 2004) - 9pm -4am Heavenly Care Academy, Columbus, Ohio - (October 23, 2004) - 8pm - 2am Worcester Centrum Center, Worcester, MA - (October 30, 2004.) - 8pm - 2am Armenian Hall, New York, New York. - (November 6, 2004) - 9pm - 4am

Invited Gospel Artistes

Prophet Seth Frimpong (aka The Dancing Prophet of Mehuri So fame) Suzzie and Matt Yaw Sarpong Felicity Amoah and Jo Mens Vikki Mensa-Bonsu Jael Wiafe Rev. Les Tex And many more surprises

Invited Featured Speakers

Dr. Kwabena Darko Rev. Owusu-Ansah

THEME: "Building a stronger and caring community through Gospel Music"

"I have worked to build a new relationship between America and Africa because our futures are indivisible. It matters to us whether you become an engine of growth and opportunity, or a place of unrelieved despair.

It matters whether we push back the forces of crime, corruption, and disease together, or leave them to divide and conquer us. It matters whether we reach out with Africans to build peace, or leave millions of God's children to suffer alone." President Clinton to the Nigerian National Assembly, Abuja, Nigeria (August 26, 2000).

Gospel Music is the fastest growing industry in Ghana. International music superstars such as; Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Seth Frimpong, and Esther Smith, keep pushing the limits of their achievements higher and higher. Ghana's Gospel Music has been dubbed the number one crowd pulling and best-selling music in Ghana, West Africa today.

Tony Carnes, a renowned sociologist and editor of, New York Glory: Religions in the City stated the following, "They're having an impact beyond the African church. The African churches are bringing new vitality and new ways of doing things to African-American and other churches."

Gospel fest will be covered by Ghanaweb, the number  1 online and most respected provider of Ghanaian news and Ghana Music.Com. Mr. CNN and Dondoweb will represent the media respectively.

They are doing it again; Mr. Solomon Krow and Mr. Kofi Bawuah, the two New Jersey based world class promoters/entrepreneurs are known for bringing music superstar; Kojo Antwi to perform in New Jersey for first time in August 2003 and also the event has gone down in New Jersey's history as the first and most well attended Ghanaian concert at the Newark Symphony Hall which hosts Rap and R&B superstars; Gerald Levert, Patti Labelle, Kirk Franklin and many others.

Click here for pictures from the event