Ghanaian gospel musician Bernard Amankwah has a clear message for his colleagues in the gospel music industry, especially new entrants: the fraternity should not be regarded as the road to financial gain, instead, see it as a means to glorify God.

This is because, he has noticed a growing trend of artistes approaching gospel music with financial motives, which he strongly believes can dilute the integrity of the space.

In a recent chat with the Daily Graphic, he expressed concern about the commercialisation of gospel music which was steering artistes away from the true essence of worship and devotion and encouraged fellow musicians to focus on the impact their music can have on their listeners' souls rather than on their(gospel acts) bank accounts. 

While he admitted money was necessary for music production and ministry outreach, it should not overshadow the central purpose of gospel music. He argued that financial rewards should be secondary to the higher calling of preaching the Word and spreading faith and hope.

“In our space, those who approach gospel music with commercial ambitions may find themselves at odds with the essence of their calling. Our priority should be on how our music edifies and inspires the listener, not on how much money it generates. If any gospel musician steps into this space with the sole intention of making money, they have missed the purpose and should reconsider their motives”, he said.

Support for new acts

Moving away from wealth creation, Bernard Amankwah expressed a firm belief that the Ghanaian gospel industry has a promising future and can achieve lasting growth if experienced artistes actively mentor the new crop of artistes. 

According to him, when seasoned gospel musicians mentor up-and-coming acts under their wing, they impart essential skills, values and insights that are crucial for maintaining the integrity and purpose of the industry. 

He explained that without this guidance, new entrants risk losing their way, as they may lack a deep understanding of the standards required to uphold the genre's unique message.

 "If the younger generation is left to navigate the industry alone, they might pursue paths that lead away from the true essence of gospel music, focusing instead on what personally appeals to them rather than what aligns with the genre's mission. 

“When we provide mentorship for budding gospel artistes, we can ensure that the industry not only survives but also thrives with a legacy that stays true to its core principles and remains impactful for future audiences," he stated. 

Copyright 

The Presence singer also shared his concerns about the persistent issue of copyright infringement in Ghana’s creative industry. 

For him, the problem goes beyond individual artistes and he believes it impacts the collective progress and integrity of the entire gospel music industry.

He noted that the enforcement of copyright laws in the country had been lax, allowing cases of intellectual property theft to go largely unchecked. He, therefore, called for a strong response from industry stakeholders through the establishment of a robust system to tackle these violations effectively, especially given the critical role that originality plays in the creative space.

 “One of the drawbacks in our industry is musicians ‘stealing’ others’ songs and making commercial capital out of them without crediting the original owners. It's disheartening to see fellow artistes making hits and money from other people's work yet giving them no credit. 

“It’s not right for someone to just pick a song that someone else has written, rehash it and profit financially from it. It is so wrong and we need to tackle it with a sense of urgency. It must be noted that people invest time and resources into their work, expecting their efforts to be respected and valued. When that doesn’t happen, it discourages creativity and innovation and that is very wrong,” he stated.

Upcoming projects

Meanwhile, Bernard Amankwah is brewing something special for his fans. He's currently in the studio, working on a new collection of songs slated for release early next year.

According to him, this upcoming project holds a special place in his heart, as he considers it a "thank you" gift to his loyal supporters and stakeholders who have stood by him throughout his journey in the music industry.

"These songs are my expression of gratitude to everyone who has believed in me and my music and I'm investing my heart, soul and passion into this project. “

Bernard Amankwah

Bernard Amankwah was born in Sunyani, Brong-Ahafo Region and was raised by a single mother. He completed his early education in Sunyani and later attended Accra's Institute of Technology.

The musician’s journey took a dramatic turn in 1994 when he received a call from God. After six years of discernment, he enrolled in the Living Word Bible School (ICGC) in 2000.

Music played a vital role in Bernard Amankwah's ministry. He honed his skills with the National Symphony Orchestra and released his debut single, Your Presence, in 2007.

He is known for songs such as Your Presence, Mercy Rescues Me and I'm Redeemed. Since 2007, he has welcomed the month of September with glee. He has purposely dedicated the ninth month of the year to profoundly express his appreciation to God through his annual concert dubbed Celebration of His Grace.