Gospel music enthusiasts feted at Harvest Praise 2005

Accra, March 26, GNA - Gospel music enthusiasts, who thronged the Accra International Conference Centre for a Good Friday concert, could not hide their cheers as the Harvest Praise Gospel Choir backed by some guest artistes, stirred their emotions up with renditions of soul inspiring songs that left them asking for more at the end of the show. The concert dubbed, "Harvest Praise 2005," organised by the Choir under the auspices of the Harvest Chapel International, an evangelistic ministry, committed to the medium of reaching out to people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music and drama.

The Choir under the baton of Mr Yaw Antwi-Dadzie, a renowned Charismatic Worship Leader, held the audience spellbound throughout the four-hour show with what a man in the audience described as a "wonderful performance" of "Womba," "This are the Days of Elijah" and other local and international Gospel songs.

The skilful and melodious voices of the members of the Choir and that of the Covenant Family Community Church Choir, the infectious style of Pastor Josh Laryea, Mr Kwaku Gyasi and the sweet voice of Afiba Addea-Mensah crowned the night's performance.

A feature, which added colour and culture to the show, was the costume of both the Choir and guest artistes and their artistic rhythmic motion to the music.

The instrumentalists lead by "Sir Borax," who displayed great mastery on various instruments caught on the audience who sang along while others responded with gestures to the infectious rhythms in their seats throughout the show.

Mr Frank Asante, Chairman of Harvest Praise Planning Committee told the Ghana News Agency Entertainment Desk that the Harvest Gospel Choir had introduced a new direction in Christian music composition. He said the Choir had developed "afro-centric" systems of orchestrating Gospel music, using indigenous sound sources and musical concepts.

Mr Asante who is also a Deacon at the Harvest International Chapel noted that, "the new style of Holy Ghost Charismatic music that the Choir has developed is a formalization of Christ-Centred consciousness in concrete musical terms."

The Reverend Fitzgerald Odonkor, Head Pastor of Harvest International Ministries said it was time for Ghanaians to dedicate themselves to things of "divine value".

"When Jesus Christ declared that it was finished as he hanged on the cross at Golgotha, he made total provision for all of us who would benefit from his salvation...we therefore know that whether we live or die, tears fall freely from our eyes or our voices break out in a cheer, we are his and victorious," he emphasised.

Rev Odonkor said the atoning death of Jesus should spur Christians to serve God and mankind unconditionally.

Speaking to GNA about the show, Ms Yaa Oforiwaa Acquah, National Treasurer of the Ghana Journalists Association commended the Choir for maintaining "good sounds with fine tune intonation".