Ghanaian Journalist and broadcaster Halifax Ansah-Addo has defended his decision to invite secular musician Adane Best to perform at a church programme, arguing that musicians with Christian messages should not be excluded simply because they are not gospel artistes.
Speaking on the Gentlemen N Gentlemen podcast, hosted by entertainment journalist Arnold Asamoah Baidoo, Halifax said his decision was influenced by an experience at a church service where congregation members danced to Adane Best’s song, ‘Rabi’, during an offering session.
He said the congregation happily received the song even though the musician himself was not present, which made him question why the artiste who created it could not be invited to perform it.
“I saw one offering being made and then, of course, the pastor called somebody to play some music. Let’s do offering, and then they come, and they start playing a popular song called ‘Rabi’,” Halifax recounted.
“The church was happy, and they were dancing, and they actually played that song. So I asked myself that, but why should Adane Best be home and others are performing his song when he himself can perform the song?”
He said he eventually contacted the musician and invited him to perform at a three-night worship and praise programme organised by his brother, who pastors Oil of Yahweh Ministries at Apapala.
Halifax said he believed it was unfair for the church to enjoy a song written by a secular musician but refuse to give the same person an opportunity to perform it.
“Are we saying that the person who wrote the letter is not qualified to read the letter, but a so-called holy tongue-speaking, heaven-bound, spirit-filled Christian should sing it?” he questioned.
According to Halifax, Adane Best accepted the invitation and performed four songs at the programme. He said the musician also had songs with messages about prayer, love for humanity, and love for God.
