Renowned Ghanaian gospel artiste, Ceccy Twum, has expressed frustration over the lack of proper corporate support for gospel artistes and events.
Speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM, she noted that organising a gospel concert is financially demanding. Yet, gospel artistes rarely receive the financial backing required to stage quality events.
“It’s all about money. Lights, sounds, camera. etc. And we rarely get sponsors bringing in the much-needed cash,” she said.
She recalled a moment when a major beverage company promised to sponsor her show but delivered only drinks instead of the much-needed funding.
“A very big beverage company said they were coming to sponsor my event. I was thinking they would bring in funding, only for them to bring drinks to share at the event. No money,” she recalled.
I can’t accept a sponsorship from a condom brand – Ceccy Twum
She added that the lack of investment has forced many gospel musicians to fade from the scene, not because they have quit music, but because they cannot afford to sustain their careers.
There are a lot of gospel musicians you don’t hear from again. You may think they have stopped making music. But it’s just that they do not have the money to progress their careers,” she disclosed.
Drawing a comparison, she mentioned how American gospel artistes like CeCe Winans remain relevant partly because they enjoy consistent support and investment.
While acknowledging that some companies shy away from gospel events to avoid being seen as aligning too closely with religion, Ceccy Twum pleaded with corporate bodies to reconsider and support gospel ministries financially.
“There are many of us who just need that push. If companies want to sponsor, we need money. Support our ministries,” she appealed.
ID/EB
Watch the promo to GhanaWeb’s latest documentary, which uncovers the evolution of ‘kayamata,’ an exploitative practice fueled by love charms and manipulation, titled, “The Dark Side of Kayamata,’ below:
