Ace Ankomah Speaks On Nathaniel Bassey’s Advice To Ghanaian Music Ministers

Ace Ankomah (many in music circles know him from Joyful Way Incorporated), in response to Nathaniel Bassey’s plea at the just ended THE JESUS ENCOUNTER 23 in Accra, Ghana, for Ghanaian music ministers to compose more songs in English, offers a thoughtful perspective, urging fellow musicians to consider the global impact of their music. Considering himself a “music hobbyist,” Ace acknowledged the resonance of his Akan-language songs within Ghana but also recognized the limitation of reaching a broader audience.

“I could be content with a faux local champion or area boy status. But I’m not. Why?”

Drawing on his experience, Ace shares a remarkable story about Bishop Dag Heward-Mills’ appreciation for his Twi song, “W’ahenni.” However, the challenge arose when attempting to perform such songs in diverse African countries where Twi is not understood. Recognizing this hurdle, Bishop Heward-Mills took the initiative to translate and perform the song in various local languages across nearly 30 African nations.

You are the Lord,

You never change

Everlasting King

You remain the same

You reign, Your kingdom shall never end 2xs

[Yeah, the last line needs some tweaking, but you get the point]

While acknowledging that this approach doesn’t guarantee success, Ace still encourages gospel musicians to explore writing more in English and went on to suggest experimenting with other languages like Jamaican Patois.

“Try eg Jamaican Patois. How else would you know that ‘His only begotten son’ is ‘im wan dege-dege Bwai Pikni’? Its fun. Maybe… Perchance…

You could be anchored to our music styles and yet be geared to the times.”

Ace emphasized that Bassey’s advice doesn’t guarantee automatic success but encourages musicians to try it out, recognizing the potential to broaden their reach. He suggested that diversifying languages, including English, could offer a unique opportunity for gospel musicians to connect with a more extensive, global audience.

In closing, Ace acknowledged that maintaining cultural roots is essential, but he encourages musicians to consider Bassey’s advice as a potential avenue for both preserving traditions and embracing the evolving musical landscape. As the “music hobbyist” signs off, he invites gospel musicians to experiment with languages beyond their local dialects, reminding them that there’s nothing to lose and potentially much to gain.