OPINION: Following trends has led many Gospel musicians to backslide

There have always been controversies surrounding the Gospel music genre in Ghana as to whom and how a Gospel musician must live his or her life since the name, Gospel comes with a holistic meaning.

Gospel music in Ghana in the past has received objections to its lyrical content and visuals although it always had perfect arrangements.

In earlier times, most of these songs could be classified as ‘non-perishable’ as their lyrics remain as effective and soothing as they were years ago when they were first composed comparing to recent songs but can we say same for the Gospel songs we hear now?

Our pioneer ministers seem to have gone on ‘retirement’ after making such pronounced impacts on the gospel music scene yet have remained significant personalities in Ghana’s music industry including Comfort Annor, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Tagoe Sisters, Hannah Marfo, Mama Esther, Osuani Afrifa, Esther Smith, Nana Yaw Asare, Kwaku Gyasi, Abawa Connie, Cindy Thompson, Stella Aba Seal, Yaw Sarpong and Asomafuor, Elder Mireku, Danny Nettey, Ama Boahemaa, Getty and Friends, Philipa Baafi, then Christiana Love (Obaapa Christy), Pastor Abraham, Rev. Osei Bonsu, Diana Asamoah, then Ernest Opoku, Cecilia Marfo, Ohemaa Mercy, Ampong, Isaac and Cee, a few to mention.

Over the last few years, the face of the Ghana gospel music scene has seen incredible changes through various improvements advocated by some great ministers of God and other several gospel artistes have also remarkably done well by contributing their quota through music to publicize the gospel of Christ to as many while improving the moral standard in society.

As done always, the era of the pioneers never cease to be compared to that of their successors when accomplishments laid down are unexpectedly being overridden with the excuse of development since various objections were made on some of the Gospel songs and videos directed in the country. Songs like ‘Nyame ye me boyfriend’, ‘Nyame aye makoma so ade3, wa kyeme kraba’, among others.

Reasonably, nobody dislikes improvement but improving with blur knowledge based on following trends leaving the actual aim the genre advocates; then really, I think admirers of the genre deserves thorough clarification as to where their inspirations should be coming from now or it is now an era of ‘dzi wo fie asem’?

Although, our Gospel musicians then were putting in much efforts to develop the music genre; they never followed trends and ‘hearsay-suggestions’ from the public yet they stayed put on the right path inspiring the public. Some people may say, “The aged were more than the youthful musicians, besides they were stuck to the old-fashion (na eni bue eniho)!” But now that ‘eye don tear’, we even have lesbians and I am very sure there might be gays involved too hiding behind the mask of inspirational songs to glorify the Most High, inspire people and also evangelizing to win more souls within their colleagues and public to join in their devious acts. The issue of Gospel musicians allowing themselves to be bought by Politicians, who also for their selfish reasons know when to impose economic hardship on the country where most people are likely not to reject the offer of earning huge sums of money.

It is quite funny how most of these Gospel ‘poached’ musicians are the respectable ones as well as the ‘dead’ ones who grab the opportunity of hoping to resurrect onto the music scene after their long break. Although, I’m not in the position to judge as quoted in Matthew 7:1-3 (King James Version); ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?’ This same quote will be used by these Gospel felons in defending themselves. Among such quotes include 1 Chronicles 16:22 and Psalms 105:15 saying, ‘Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm’ which so many ‘said’ Christians use in defending their flaws whenever they are being queried and even blame a ‘fictional devil’ that we all know dwells within us.

But these ‘said’ Christians always quickly discover these quotes whenever people try to shame them for discerning poor behavior, ethics, morals, and values regarding their analysis gathered on their way of living which seem to me that they neither really understand the above mentioned quotes among others and the Holy Book entirely.

The verses in my perspective, is not only refraining humans from judging at all but it is actually saying that one should not judge unfairly or in any other cheap and selfish way. Yet, in this generation, everything we see, we must learn and practice all in the name of ‘trend’ and if you don’t follow, you are ‘Kolo’ (primitive). And who cares what they wear and the horrible make-ups they do? It’s all part of the trend… true or false?

I pray God forgives me ‘if’ I have been judgmental with this piece but where are we heading to since we seem to portray ourselves as a Christian country, very particular about our religious belief?

Ghanafuo, mo sem pa o!