Assistant Commissioner of Police and gospel musician, ACP Kofi Sarpong, has joined the ongoing conversation about gospel musicians collaborating with secular artists.
He expressed that he would not hesitate to collaborate with secular artists should the opportunity come. “If the opportunity comes, I will not hesitate, or if the time comes, I will not hesitate at all,” he said.
According to ACP Kofi Sarpong, music is simply a combination of words and rhythms, and these words cover a wide range of experiences, proverbs, advice, motivation—things that are part of everyday life.
“All these words that we put together, and put rhythm on them to become music, are all languages that we speak or things that we experience. If it comes to marriage and how couples should live, we get it from Songs of Solomon. Motivations and proverbs are all there. So I don’t know why we should even say that we have gospel and we have secular, that we have drawn the line.”
ACP Kofi Sarpong
He also pointed out that some secular songs are simply irresistible, with beats that make it hard not to dance along.
While many view secular artists as “of the world,” the gospel musician doesn’t share that perception. Instead, he believes in engaging with them and offering the gospel, rather than stereotyping them.
“These people, if we even perceive them to be what we perceive them to be, if we do not go to them, if we do not get close to them, how will you get them to where you want them to be? Because even those who are in the church, we cannot keep them, we allow them to go because of the mindset we have developed about them.”
ACP Kofi Sarpong
ACP Kofi Sarpong clarified that while he respects others’ reservations on the topic, he chooses not to judge. “If we are to do something that will especially encourage the youth and motivate others, I will do,” he affirmed.
He, however, emphasized that while he is open to collaborating with secular artists, the lyrics would be a key factor in his decision.
ACP Kofi Sarpong on Struggles Growing up
The Assistant Commissioner of Police and gospel musician opened up about the struggles he went through growing up, revealing that he used to sell kenkey to support his education.
He shared how life was tough for his family, and how he had to drop out of school several times because there was no money to pay his fees.
“There were a lot of orphans in the family that my mother had to take care of. So you could imagine that a meager salary was what she used to cater for all of us. It was difficult. I dropped out of school about three to four times because the school fees were difficult to pay.”
ACP Kofi Sarpong
He explained that, despite his mother’s efforts to support him, the burden was heavy due to the number of dependents she cared for. To change the cycle of dropping out, he made a bold decision at just 13 years old to prepare and sell kenkey.
“I decided to help myself. So I started preparing kenkey. There is no kenkey that I do not know how it’s prepared; Ga kenkey, Fante, you name it. Up to Secondary School Form 5, I used to prepare and sell kenkey because I needed to help myself.”
ACP Kofi Sarpong
But the journey was far from easy. Kofi Sarpong recalled moments of embarrassment and shame while selling by the roadside.
“Sometimes I would be selling at lorry parks and stations, I would meet some of my mates and decide to hide behind cars. But they would make sure they had seen that I was selling kenkey.”
ACP Kofi Sarpong
He also disclosed that balancing the kenkey business with school was very challenging. “In the morning, I had to prepare the Ga kenkey, sell it to people, then wash down before joining my mates at school, and I was always late and punished all the time,” he narrated.
Despite the hardships, he refused to give up. He said he could have easily chosen to stay out of school to save his family money, but he had a dream and a purpose.
His hard work paid off. The money he earned from selling kenkey helped him continue his education at Berekum Senior High School.
Later, he had the opportunity to join the Ghana Police Service and worked his way up to the rank of Assistant Commissioner.
Today, he is not only a respected police officer but also a popular gospel musician and fashion entrepreneur. Using his story as a yardstick, ACP Kofi Sarpong encouraged the youth never to let their circumstances define their future
“God has a purpose and plans for everyone. If you are born into a rich family, thanks be to God. If you are born into a low-class family, still give thanks, because the vision you carry rests in His hands. If you depend on Him, you will realize your vision in no time. Never let your present situation weigh you down. Keep pushing. Never be in despair. Move on.”
ACP Kofi Sarpong
When asked if he plans to go into the kenkey business again someday, he laughed and said, “One should not be surprised if you hear Kofi Sarpong Kenkey House.”
His story stands as a testament to resilience, faith, and the transformative power of self-belief.
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