KODA, a multiple award-winning songwriter, singer, an all-rounded instrumentalist and a producer, was one of the guests that lectured on the Worship Essentials that took place in Bolgatanga on the 6th of March 2023. He made some pertinent statements which were discussed on this very platform title; KODA Tells Northern Ghana Gospel Musicians the Naked Truth at Worship Essentials Bolgatanga.
With many backing the issues analyzed by the music guru, this person has a slightly different view to it all.
He/She said, That’s very thoughtful of him. God bless him but trying to psyche with him, I will differ a bit concerning our foundation. Basically, what he said concerning himself and Kofi Kinata is very true but let’s be honest to ourselves. After Twi, Ga & Fante are the other dominating languages in the country and so any little effort made in these tribes explodes. Let me cite a few examples.
1. Taking Celestine Donkor for example, she didn’t start her ministry in ewe or better put, we weren’t hearing of her in that tribe but in Twi even though I haven’t taken the pain to read about her musical biography but now look at how far she’s going in ministry, and she does freely play with her language.
2. Let’s consider Gadam Fancy also. When he started his music move, it was in Dagomba and was only heard within just Northern Ghana but immediately after his song featured by Sarkodie (total cheat) then boom, he “hit”.
3. Let’s talk of Wiyaala, Niger music and so on. They weren’t heard until they took that step to at least merge their songs with widely understood languages. Imagine, we updating our media handles now with just Kusaal, let’s ask ourselves how many Akans, Fantes and most of the southern spoken languages’ friends will feel the impact? Even though it might be nice to them but because they don’t understand it, they will feel reluctant listening to it.
I’m not in any way rebutting his view because I’m not sure he possibly meant we should be singing in only our local language (stand to be corrected though) but I’m bringing this on board because someone might possibly think we can make it solely through our language.
If we continue to dwell in only our tribe as our style of music, trust me, our limit will be in Upper East Region or at most Northern Ghana and not to the whole nation or even the world.
