Gospel musician Akesse Brempong has revealed that there is nothing wrong with artists aligning with the ideologies of a political party in the country.
The musician questioned the reason why, as a country, it is intolerant of gospel artists throwing their weight behind a political party of their choice, particularly in an election year.
The ‘God is working’ hitmaker is of the firm belief that musicians can be partisan and still appeal to a very unified society.
“If I am a gospel musician here and there’s a party in Ghana that holds that ideology and another party doesn’t hold that ideology, I definitely will go with the pro-life party. But the idea that I cannot come to the media and say that I belong to party A or party B, it’s something I don’t know how we’re going to fight it. But at this point, we have not come to that term,” he asserted.
Akesse Brempong indicated that Ghanaians’ intolerance to divergent political views may be detrimental to survival.
“As much as the gospel musician is an individual, has ideologies, and can identify with the ideologies of a political party, the gospel musician can belong to a political party,” he noted.
“But the other thing is when you know that the people your ministry is for are cross-partisan and that you align with this party, especially in Ghana. Ghanaians can’t tolerate the idea of gospel musicians supporting a party. I don’t know why it is,” he said.
Akesse Brempong further added that the hypocrisy and vilification of individuals who support a political party must stop.
He revealed that he thinks America may not be the same, adding that he knows some American gospel musicians who go to political rallies and support ideologies and policies.
Revealing Not Financially Supported By Church
Akesse Brempong revealed that he is not financially supported by his church for being a pastor.
According to him, he does not want to be a financial responsibility to his church whilst discharging his pastoral duties.
The musician asserted that he relies on multiple streams of revenue aside from his music career to make ends meet.
“As at this point, my pastoring is voluntary. I am not on the payroll of the church but I enjoy it,” he indicated.
The ‘God is Working’ hitmaker explained that he is engaged in various revenue-generating activities and therefore prefers not to be compensated as a pastor.
In a two-layered justification for not being paid by his church, “It is basically because I am into a lot of things that generate revenue and I don’t want to be another mouth for my church to be feeding,” he said.
Also, Akesse Brempong asserted that the church must prioritize investment in the gospel music industry, as it is a major beneficiary.
According to him, churches are in a better position to regulate the affairs of the gospel music industry than the corporate world.
He believes churches working hand-in-hand with stakeholders in the gospel music industry will better advance God’s ministry.
He explained that corporate bodies do not understand the impact of gospel music as much as churches do.
The gospel musician thinks that the gospel industry has been left in the hands of the world to regulate, a move he believes is hindering the progress of the ministry.
Akesse Brempong indicated that corporate bodies are only profit-minded and will chase after numbers rather than the impact of the music, which is to win souls for Christ.
Akesse Brempong advised churches and Christian institutions to start their record labels and quit depending on the world to run the gospel music industry.
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