Soul Winners? Ghana?s Traditional Gospel Musicians

About a decade ago, the Soul Winners ? Apostolic, an all-made traditional gospel group was, out of passion to reach a corrupt and dying world with the word of God through music, formed in Dansoman, a suburb of Accra by seven men.

The group now 13 in number has aspired to become Ghana?s traditional gospel music ambassadors.

As a result of this the group has a native musical instrument to compliment the existing contemporary ones to give fusion, with originality identified with the Soul Winners Apostolic.

In an interview with the manager of the group, Mr. Robert A. Otoo, he said the passion and zeal with which they have worked in the ministry paved the way for them to stage concerts in the Synagogue Church of all Nations in Nigeria, the Gospel Rock Show Festival in the Republic of Benin, under the auspices of the Benin Government, Canada, United States of America and have toured the length and breadth of Ghana sharing their culture and beliefs.

He said the group had to its credit five albums, namely ?Ayeyi Seno? in 1991, ?Only Jesus Can Save? in 1998, ?Appraise (Apostolic Praise)? Volume 1 in 1999, ?No Jesus, No Life? in 2000 and ?Appraisal? Volume 2in 2003.

The group has also established and owns one of the sought after music bands in Ghana and also a state-of-the-art digital recording studio and video editing suites where its projects are carefully done.

The studio runs commercial to generate income to support the group financially. Some artistes who have recorded their works at the studio include Deeba (Deeba), Antwi ne Antwi (Sekina), Josh Laryea (Ngboo), Bro Cee, Elder Appiah (Keep On) and the Alabaster Box (From Welcome to Goodbye).

Through hard work and dedication, the group has won the admiration of many. This is evident in national awards which include Gospel Group of the Year (2000), Ghana Gospel Music Awards for Best Music Video (2000-2002) and they retained the same title in 2003.

The Soul Winners-Apostolic also seeks to establish a music institute to teach and impart knowledge of the Ghanaian musical form in its entirety as associated with Soul Winners. This will be in affiliation with the University College of Education, Winneba. It also has plans to build another digital studio in Kumasi to serve the northern sector of Ghana.

The group comprises Kenneth Appiah, Leader/Lead Vocalist/Lead Guitarist, Samuel L. Otoo, Assistant Leader/Vocals/Bassist, Robert A. Otoo, Manager/Sound Engineer, Seth Oklika, Public Relations Officer, Abraham Laryea, Keyboards/Vocals and Samuel Akuffo Omang, Percussionist.

The rest are Isaac Kuukuu Ansong, Trumpet/Vocals. Isaac Konadu Ansong, Gome, Francis Kwaku Osei, Drums and Reginald Senam Ayiku, Drums/Percussionist.

In its future projections, the group intends to stage concerts in the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria and another concert at the Action Chapel in Ivory Coast. The group intends to tour Europe and record and launch its new album ?Wala Abolo?.