Let?s face it. Culture is culture. It is so unique that it cannot be done away with. Local gospel music cannot be hidden under a bushel ?no!? Ghanaians always let it shine.? And not even Christians geared more towards western gospel orientations can dispute that. For 2004, I can only see local gospel music becoming more and more popular (if that is at all possible) with Ghanaians.

Now let?s look at some of the big names and big hits on the local gospel scene: The Tagoe Sisters with hits like ?Anka Ma Tete? Holy Ghost International?s blazing ?Me Ye Onyame Ba?. The Daughters of Glorious Jesus astounding us with ? Bebrebe.? Jude Lomotey ?s ?Mo ko mo ko be ni to mo bo?, Pastor Joe Beechem, Azigiza ,The Sowah?s ? Ayilo fitaa? and Francis Agyei?s ? Joy in my heart.?

And what about others like Danny Nettey, Bernice Offei, Jacquie Ankrah, Cyndy Thompson and duos like Jane and Bernice or Suzzy and Matt. Or one of the newest groups on the national scene the Monarch?s Praise offering praise with songs like ? Baahe Oshidaa? and ?Ntrontrom se wo,? just to mention a few.

To the numerous others whose names I could not mention because of space and to all those listed above, I say a big kudos. And thank you from the Ghanaian population who believes in your music, whose hearts and souls have been healed because of your music and who waits patiently for God to continue to use you to be blessings them.
So what keeps local gospel music serving its destined purpose?

Simple: It is simple, catchy, easy to sing along to but most of all it speaks words of encouragement to Christians who sing, dance and worship with such music. Whatever happens, western music will never displace local Christian music. I?m sure if local gospel could talk, it would say ?Afe wei ye m?afe.?