Award-winning Gospel musician Ohemaa Mercy has sounded an alarm on the dire state of gospel occasions within the nation and is urging company Ghana to come back to the rescue.
She likens the determined state of affairs to a sick particular person on a life help machine and that till company Ghana lends a hand, the one possibility is perhaps to drag the plug which can result in the loss of life of gospel occasions.
In a dialog with Graphic Showbiz on the sidelines of the official launch of this yr’s Tehillah Expertise, Ohemaa Mercy attributed their struggles to poor company sponsorship.
She disclosed that lack of monetary help from company our bodies was threatening the very survival of gospel occasions which she believes play a vital function in selling non secular progress and ethical values.
The artiste recognized for songs equivalent to Ote Me Mu, Edin Jesus and Wobeye Kese stated gospel artistes confronted difficulties soliciting company backing for his or her occasions because of the lack of expertise from firms that tended to understand faith in a unique gentle.
“For me, I believe company establishments don’t actually perceive the enterprise of gospel music. Oftentimes, they consider they shouldn’t meddle in non secular actions. So it’s not even about it being a Christian occasion.”
“Nonetheless, the state of affairs is de facto dire as a result of quite a bit goes into getting a great manufacturing for an occasion and right here is the case the place we largely wrestle to get company sponsorship.”
“In the meantime, the few which might be most likely prepared to come back on board is probably not ready to take action as a result of sure manufacturers can’t be related to God’s enterprise.”
“There are restrictions and all these are working in opposition to us, placing most gospel occasions on ‘life help’ due to big monetary burdens. Whereas our colleague secular artistes are grabbing all the massive sponsorships despite the fact that we typically put collectively higher reveals,” the Fefeefe singer stated.
Ohemaa Mercy isn’t alone along with her issues. A variety of distinguished gospel artistes, together with Joe Mettle, have additionally lamented the insufficient sponsorship of gospel occasions.
Previous to his Praiz Reloaded in June this yr, Joe Mettle disclosed he had on plenty of events emptied his checking account to finance the occasion.
Though Ohemaa Mercy has efficiently and constantly hosted her Tehillah Expertise live performance for the previous 11 years, she admits it has not been simple with out satisfactory monetary help, particularly from the nation’s company sector.
She identified that the monetary constraints have left many gospel occasion organiser’s struggling to remain afloat, with some even compelled to cancel or postpone occasions.
She, nonetheless, supplied phrases of encouragement to rising artistes, acknowledging the difficulties they confronted when internet hosting occasions.
“Embracing your calling is essential as an up-and-coming artiste. If you perceive your objective and God’s plan for you, you’ll recognise that challenges are a pure a part of the journey. These challenges foster maturity and progress.”
“As a substitute of resisting them, settle for them as alternatives for self-improvement, whether or not monetary or in any other case. Bear in mind, God’s intention is to refine and elevate you, to not hinder or embarrass you so preserve going even with out sponsorship,” she stated.
Ohemaa Mercy additionally prolonged her heartfelt appreciation to all who’ve constantly supported the Tehillah live performance since its inception.
“We’re thrilled to have Frytol and Telecel on board this yr as sponsors, together with a number of beneficiant people who’re additionally supporting us”, Ohemaa added.
This yr’s Tehillah Expertise live performance, themed “Tehillah The Bethel Expertise,” comes off on Saturday, September 8, 2024, on the Oil Dome, Royal Home Chapel Worldwide in Accra.