Prophet Joseph Atarah has challenged Evangelist Papa Shee’s assertion that secular musicians are used by the devil.

“If he had said some of them, I may have agreed,” the musician and founder of Believers Grace Crown Ministry International explained.

“There are secular musicians who fear God,” he added, citing highlife star Akwaboah, “who is upright,” unlike “some gospel musicians who lack self-control and are not well-behaved.”

Prophet Joseph Atarah spoke to Prince Benjamin (PB) on Entertainment Capital on Accra 100.5 FM, on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

Breaking into a spontaneous singing of Amakye Dede’s megahit "Sufre Wo Nyame" (Cry Out to Your God) – a song that encourages longsuffering which is eventually divinely rewarded – he argued that gospel songs are not always sung by avowed gospel musicians.

In fact, “a lot of those who do secular music also do gospel,” the church leader added.

He cited the legendary producer, music executive, and prophet Kaywa for support.

“Kaywa does both secular and gospel – he produced my new song 'Believe,'” he added.

Kaywa is the founder and CEO of the popular Highly Spiritual record company, which has mentored and managed highlife stars like Kurl Songx, Krymi, Mr. Drew, and others. The label has produced music for gospel stars like Kofi Karikari, Diana Hamilton, and Piesie Esther, among others.

Prophet Atarah asserted: “The devil even uses some of the gospel musicians. God has revealed this to some of us, so we know it for a fact.”

Citing Ecclesiastes 7:5 – "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools" – he underlined that the wholesomeness of a song’s message was more important than whether or not the artist bore the secular or gospel tag.