‘Takoradi Gospel Influencers’ and their ‘libido’ to counsel on social media

• Posted on September 1, 2022September 2, 2022
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The social media space has afforded users the opportunity to be vocal and address issues of concern. This has made a lot of people express their opinions on scads of national and industry issues which have shaped some policies and decisions.

On Facebook for instance, the space that allows users to update asks, “What’s on your mind?,” poking users to update their friends and followers with what they have to say at that moment.

There is an admirable attempt of some youth in the oil capital of Ghana, Sekondi-Takoradi, to support the works of those in ministry. These youth do not only support ‘Brothers and Sisters in Christ’ with their expertise and time, their social media are actively used to propagate the works of the talents who have chosen to do the work of God.

Commendable as it is, they have also assumed the position of offering daily counsels to the talents they support. Whilst some of their counsels on social media appear sound, many of them reveal the cracks in the disunited gospel industry in the Western Region. Oh yes, the secular showbiz industry in Western Region is more united than the gospel side.

I am tempted to also wear the beautiful shoes of the ‘Takoradi Gospel Influencers’ to offer my 5 cent today. You are greatly appreciated by many for the dedication to duty and your reward will not only be in Heaven, God’s “will” in your lives “will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven,” can I hear a big Amen! Some of the counsels you offer on your social media are purely not meant for social media; they are best given in private conversations. Most of the updates expose the industry to ridicule. Some of them make you appear desperate and as though it was for likes and comments than contributing to the growth of the industry. Staying relevant is not about imposing yourself on people; let them organically like you and believe in your strategy and dream. Relevance is not about the number of radio stations you hop on from Friday to Sunday and be heard as the one with the bile tongue or the loudest in the studio but your clarity of thoughts and wisdom you share on issues.

Be that as it may, some of the regular updates helps the social media audience to know some relevant events and updates in the industry.

I can help you with an unsolicited picture of the industry that you have chosen to contribute to and in return be known for:

The Western Region gospel industry which has produced colossi like Mrs. Amy Newman, Pastor Joe Beecham, KODA, amongst others is expected to be one of the most fertile grounds for talents but surprisingly, it has some of the ludicrous reasons for beefs; has some of the ill-founded explanation of not being in good terms with another and annoyingly, the claim of we do it better and we did this first.

Maybe this might not be known to many; the concept of Western Music Awards was to have a praise and worship event the next Sunday after the annual awards night. Emmanuel Ampaabeng, the CEO of Western Music Awards rose to prominence in radio as Gospel Presenter. His programmes on both Kyzz FM and Aseda FM where he worked were Gospel Programmes so he insisted that as part of his intimate interest in gospel, there is the need to have a ‘gospel rockshow’ a week after the awards. Luckily for him, those he works with are Church workers who readily bought into the idea, supporting his assertion with an add on that, “that even helps us to thank God well for a successful award every year.”

After the first edition of Western Music Awards in 2017, the first edition of the gospel event was hosted at the Takoradi Technical Institute. Tagoe Sisters were the main Artistes billed to perform at the event. Just after an awards ceremony which was dominated by the secular musicians in the Western Region, the organizers of Western Music Awards thought the gospel event will be a walk in the park.

Shockingly, the most difficult event to organize was with the gospel players. It will surprise you to know that, when a Gospel Artiste is called to be on the event, they blatantly asked who will be on the flyer and some of them mentioned that, this person is not there yet to be on flyer. “I can’t be on the same poster with this person because it will appear as though I am an up-and-coming Artiste” one gospel Artiste told Mr. Ampaabeng and truly declined to be part.

The unbelievable part was when the mini billboards mounted in Takoradi were destroyed a day after it was put up. The destruction of these billboards were clearly from stone throws and stick hits. And this is supposed to be an event strictly for the Christian community.

For what happened at the main event at the TTU Auditorium on the day of the event, I think I have to reserve that for another day but it will interest you to know that one Artiste was visibly angry because a song he was to do was sang by an Artiste before him. The Western Music Awards organizers had no option than to stop the post awards gospel rock show.

Again, during a ‘Gospel Industry Seminar’ at Skyy Media House in 2017 which was hosted by Hon. Wilson Arthur, the CEO of the media conglomerate, as a Speaker, I maintained that, one of the mistakes those in ministry do is that, they only see themselves in ministry and often ‘frown’ when you label them as Showbiz Players, a way of expressing that, “we are in Ministry and not in Showbiz.” Mrs. Ernestina Konney agreed to my assertion and supported my stance that; “Indeed the main focus is ministry but you will lose sight of the nuances of the industry if you don’t see yourself in Showbiz too,” citing social media as one of my basis of argument. I added that; “The rules of ministry is changing rapidly and one of the things to embrace now is technology. Make the best out of it. Social media is the 9^th planet and to succeed in ministry, you have to be part of that planet that gives you followers from all across the world. But know what to post, and what to share to these citizens of the planet.”

There is already a flourishing grounds for further cracks and disunity so for some of the Influencers whose new found passion is at its zenith and are tempted to be posting per minute with issues which should be private, be reminded to keep somethings off social media. Posting daily is not a sign of relevance. Just to make you aware, Italian sports car maker, Lamborghini has already pre-sold the entire production run to early 2024, meaning anyone who wants to acquire the car brand should wait till mid 2024. They did that without any rigorous advertisement.

Takoradi Gospel Influencers, more grease to your elbows for the dedication, but know the boundaries of social media and make Jesus the focus. Indeed, Western Gospel to the top!

I shall return!

Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net) @nkcoomson on Twitter/Instagram