Gospel music lovers, who trooped down to the St Paul Methodist Cathedral, Tema, to attend the launch of Nii Okai?s latest album. Worshipful, were probably surprised as the launch assumed the form of a celebration concert.

The celebrant, Nii Okai, who doubled as the concert?s compere, mounted the dais and opened the celebration with a brief inspirational message and documentary on the essence of worship, which the new album seeks to address.

Afterwards, he was supported by a few members of the Harbour City Mass Choir to lead a solemn worship session.


Pastor Josh Laryea, in his usual ecstatic mood, was called to stage amidst shouts from the audience who knew what he was capable of doing with his stagecraft.

He started his ministration with a couple of popular worship songs and provided comforting messages in between, whenever his backing vocalist sang undertone.

Switching to a lovely praise mood, the 2006 Ghana Music Awards gospel artiste of the year shook the auditorium with his hit praise medley, 'Overcomer'.

Patrons danced jubilantly as he poured out more from his current album.

His instrumentalists were not left out. They displayed their mastery of respective instruments individually to bring Josh Laryea?s ministration to an end.

Following Josh Laryea was Rev Joe Beechem who made a surprise appearance.

Both the young and old, who filled the auditorium to capacity, jumped in excitement, perhaps signifying the extent to which they missed him on stage.

Relying on his repertoire of soul-inspiring hit songs, Rev Beechem sang the first verse of 'Bisa Awurade' to a slow instrumentation. He then gave a sterling performance to the concluding verse and received a standing ovation from patrons.

Rev Beechem?s 'Aoo Yesu' and 'Asem Bi' provided the right satisfaction for the audience who called for more.

They danced and sang joyfully to the two songs before the reverend?s ministration was brought to an end. The night was, however, not yet over.

The evergreen Danny Nettey explained what worship stood for before performing a soulful jazz song.

Danny then called Nii Okai onto stage and the two moved the audience with their amazing stage presence, singing Nii Okai?s first album?s title track 'Moro Be'.

They displayed their unique vocal abilities with flair where high notes mattered.

The celebrant himself was the last artiste to perform. All joined him when he sang 'Obiara Ntese Wo' and 'Hosanna' beautifully, among other songs, from his first album.

Singing some favourites from the new album, 'Worshipful', Nii Okai ministered 'Ma Jie Oyi', 'Gye W?ayeyi' and 'Makpasa Le', which again proved his creative song writing talent.

The celebration was over after that performance, but patrons, having acquired the Worshipful cassettes and CDs by which means they attended the celebration launch, will still celebrate whenever they play and listen to the messages on the 10-track album.