Grace Ashy ? Riding High On The Local Music Scene

Any good music lover who listened with rapt attention to the lyrics and rhythms of Grace Ashy, the gospel musician of the moment, would realize that most of the words of her songs were carefully chosen and woven to convey some sentimental messages to listeners.

Grace, a product of a broken home, has passionately used words of admonishments to sing praises and give thanks to the almighty God, for strengthening and encouraging her to stand the test of time after her parents had parted ways when she was just six-years-old.

Most people who, at one point in time, had lived with their step-mother would readily testify that living with one?s step mother is usually not the best of relationships one would relish.

However, Grace believes that experience provided her the opportunity to learn about so many things in life as well as strengthened her in her resolve to succeed in life.

Grace, in an interview, told The Mirror that ?I am not sure I would have got this far if I had not gone through that experience. It has also provided me the platform to pass on my experience in life to my teeming fans and admirers. I liken that period to a young girl going through school where she can accommodate the glory and hardship associated with learning?.

She is full of gratitude and respect for her father, Nana Appiah-Kubi, who raised her morale at the time and acted like a ?mother? during her father, to a large extent, motivated her to go into music, where she is excelled to the admiration of all.

Grace Ashy, (her maiden name, Grace Appiah-Kubi). Started singing when she was 12 years old, then in primary school, where she led the Sunday School children of the Berekum Methodist Church to sing praises. When she turned 15, she joined the singing band of the Methodist Church as well as the school choir, where she made her mark as a leader and soprano singer.

When Grace relocated to Accra to purse secondary education at the City Secondary and Business College, she did not abandon her quest to sing in praise of the Lord. She joined Bishop Addae-Mensah?s Gospel Light International Church, where she led the praise and worship choir.

Interestingly, it was during this period that Grace realized her potential of becoming a great and prominent gospel musician. She therefore started writing her own songs, which culminated in the release of her maiden album, ?Adea Yesu? in 2001.

According to her, the album did not do badly though. She attributed her inability to hit the jackpot to the fact that she was a debutant.

Two years later, Grace came out again with her second album, ?Se Enye Awurade?, in may last year, but the album took nearly six months to capture the attention of music lovers. At the moment, the album has one of the hit gospel songs, ?Wonontso Yesu?, which is making waves on the music charts.

Grace, who now looks back and reflects on her work, says with confidence that she is satisfied with what she has achieved so far. ?I now know I have a great future and very soon I will go international?, she intimated.

She maintains that without the support and encouragement of her husband, Mr. Bright Ashy, who solely produced her works, she would not have attained the status she enjoys now. She also has tons of gratitude for Rev. Dr. Augustine Annor-Yeboah, the founder and General Overseer of Christian Praise International Centre, for the help he and the church extended to her during the production of her current album.

Besides, the leadership of the church has given Grace and her husband the mandate to run the Gbawe-Agape branch of the church. They are currently in charge until a substantive resident pastor is appointed. She preaches and oversees the day to day administration of the church.

Grace is a very confident woman, who believes that God has a hand in whatever one is doing. ?Our strength cannot do anything without the help of the Holy Ghost. I always want God?s will to be done in my life?, she sums up.

Grace was born on April 4, 1973 at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo region, to Nana Appiah-Kubi, Abakomahene of Dormma Kosane and Madam Comfort Ohenewaa. She is the first of the eight children of her parents.

She once worked as a clerk at Cassa-Bendata Company at Kokomlemle in Accra. From there she went and trained as a beautician and later had the calling to sing to the glory of God. She got married in 1997 and has two children, Cranskon Yeboah, 16, and Emmanuel Wiafe, 7. Her hobbies are horse riding and playing volleyball.


Vance Azu, The Mirror