Just like highlife and hiplife music, I grew up listening to spirit filled as well as amazing gospel music! I believe these are some of the contributing factors to making my childhood memorable.
Anyone who grew up in Ghana in the early 90s through to the early 2000’s will be familiar with the likes of Esther Smith, Mama Esther, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Bishop Michael Osei Bonsu (RIP), Hannah Marfo, Prophet Seth Frimpong (RIP), Moses OK, OJ, Noble Nketiah, Kwaku Gyasi, Suzzy & Matt, Stella Seal, Tagoe Sisters, Jane & Bernice, Elder Mireku, Grace Ashy, Philipa Baafi, Obaapa Christy (formerly Christiana Love), Cindy Thompson, Ama Boahemaa, Comfort Annor (RIP), Diana Asamoah and the likes. The list is indeed tall! The crux of the matter is their songs are powerful and spirit filled! Recently, gospel artistes from the early 2000s were trending on Twitter Ghana and it was interesting to see comparisons regarding who is the greatest Ghanaian gospel artiste of all time, who has the most hits etc.
But to the question: Who is Ghana’s greatest gospel artiste of all time? This is a very tough question to answer given the wide range of great gospel artistes we have been blessed with over the past decades and most importantly their dexterity and depth of their talent. Unfortunately, that cannot be compared to the gospel music that comes out of the country these days (not saying that the current crop of artistes aren’t doing well).
Personally, I have a few favourites and these are in no particular order: Esther Smith, Cindy Thompson, Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Christiana Love & Hannah Marfo. This does not mean I do not have any favourite male artistes though…I love Bishop Michael Osei Bonsu, Ernest Opoku, Moses OK, Yaw Sarpong & the Asomafo and Elder Mireku.
A lot of people have described Esther Smith as the greatest gospel artiste of all time and I can agree. This woman has hits! I am not talking about a song that hits for few months and then disappears. I remember vividly how most of her songs were used in Sunday Schools for choreographies including ‘Nipa’, ‘Ma Wonsan’, ‘Gye no di’, ‘Agyidifo) Ataban’, ‘May3 nhyira’ among others. These songs reigned for years and anytime I listen to it, it sounds fresh and puts me in a certain mood. And oh, I can sing most of them word for word. She is a LEGEND!
Cindy Thompson has my HEART. If you don’t know any song at all you will know the famous ‘Awurade Kasa’ released in 2000 which was used as former President Kuffour’s official presidential race song in the same year. WHAT A POWERFUL SONG! Some people have said her album ‘Cindy’s Messiah‘ is the greatest gospel album to have come out of Ghana. I AGREE. Out of the 10 songs on the album, 8 of them are certified hits which received massive airplay back in the day and still does! My favourite song on the album is ‘Nyame Eguamba’ which means ‘The Lamb of God’. I play this song at least thrice a day…or even more.
I do not think Daughters of Glorious Jesus have received their due flowers yet. They are an incredible trio. In a music industry full of drama and competition, it is commendable for three ladies to have been together for over 3 decades and still reigning together. I really want to know how they did it because it definitely takes more than just prayers. Some of my favourite songs of theirs include ‘Yesu Mo’, ‘Bebree’, ‘Asomdwe3 Hene’, ‘Aseda B3n’, ‘Fawas3m to Awurade Anim’ and MANY OTHERS! All their songs carry messages and are indeed spirit filled! Whoosh! Check out a few of these hits here.
There is so much more to say about my other favourites but wanting to keep this post brief, you should check these phenomenal artistes out. I am certain you will be blessed!
To conclude, I will acknowledge the gospel artistes who made solid contributions to the industry and are no longer with us: Bishop Michael Osei Bonsu (RIP), Comfort Annor (RIP), Danny Nettey (RIP), Rev. Prince Nyarko (RIP), Prophet Seth Frimpong (RIP), Rev. Kusi Berko (RIP), Philip Nyarko (RIP). May their souls rest in peace!
Who was your favourite Ghanaian gospel artiste growing up and who is your current favourite gospel artiste?
Currently, I will be lying if I say I have one but I love Diana Hamilton and Joe Mettle. I think they are doing well and have taken gospel music to another level and sold it internationally. Now you have Joe Mettle collaborating with foreign artistes and performing on global stages. Most importantly, they are the only two gospel artistes to have won the coveted ‘Artiste of the Year’ award at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) since it started. AYEKOO!
Thank you so much for reading my post. I hope you enjoyed it! Stay tuned for another interesting piece real soon!
Take care.
Gertrude says...... 