My Music Ministry Journey Part 4 by Eugene Zuta

My Music Ministry Journey Part 4 by Eugene Zuta
Read Part1, Part2, Part3, Part5

The next stop is UCC. (Due to Yaw Subiri’s peer pressure… here we go.)

#The choice I did not choose that chose me

So we are at Pedu Junction, moving towards the Valco Gate. Just when we got to the Goil Filling Station, the driver of the Tarkoradi bound Benz bus decided to buy some fuel. From my window seat, I could eye some khebab sizzling on the grill as its spicy aroma diffuses into the air carried by the coastal breeze. hhhmmmmmmm. But hey! no distractions!!

Shhhhhhhh! Let me tell you a secret before we get to UCC.
I didn’t want to go to that University. Somehow I was afraid I will end up as a teacher. I have been told apart from the economic situation, the 80% grading system is a killer. Plus I wanted a University with a strong music ministry presence, and most of my friends who went ahead of me, convinced me that KNUST was the place. So I was bent on going to Tech. chai! I daydreamed about it many times. I will be with Explo and POP Choir, then I will do Black American things with KNUST Mass Choir. I would meet all the great guys I hear about. Nii Okai, Koda and the likes.

I did not care what course I was given. All that mattered was, I was in Tech ! So in 2001, I had bought the forms for only KNUST against the counsel of one of my fathers to add UCC. When the admission list was released, my name was three places under the cut off line and was placed on an imaginary waiting list.

I roamed the KNUST administration for two weeks, hoping to get help from someone. (There is a special name for people like me who did not make the cut off for a course and normally would be seen in groups at the administration trying their luck. Is it Gambia or Cambodia? I have forgotten mpo). Anyway, it didn’t work out. In 2002, I applied to UCC, was offered two courses to choose from, and under very mysterious circumstances I chose a course that will end up in my being a Science Teacher.

So the bus moved and I alighted at the Western Gate and settled at the Old Site. I then joined GHAFES-UCC and became part of its music wing ECHOES OF CALVARY. The president of the group, Bro Bernard Adjei and then Music Director Samuel Nana Akrasi Manu, overtime shared with some of us their desire to work on an album for the choir as was done by the choirs in KNUST. I set to work, and with support and motivation from my Level 100 roommate and choir mate- Daniel Appiah, composed several of the songs that finally made up the Calvary Nnwom album.

I eventually led the choir as music director for two years and had the privilege of supervising the recording and launch of the album. It was my first album production experience. DA NASE and CALVARY (EOC Calvary Nnwom 2004), were the first recorded songs i sang on as lead vocalist.

Koda was the production engineer for the album. I was first introduced to him by my Music Director, Nana Akrasi, and it’s been a divine connection ever since. KODA officially handed me over to Nii Okai (who I had admired for his work on the POP album the Onua song). I became part of Ataa Nii’s backing vocals team for the launch of the Moko B3 album and part of his team (Virtuos) for 5yrs till I started my own ministry with his blessing. (more on this later)

GHAFES UCC and Echoes Of Calvary

GHAFES UCC and Echoes of Calvary, played a vital role in my music ministry philosophy as I have it.

I became a better worship leader because of my praise and worship partner Edward Ampau-Brient. His prayer life challenged me so much that I had to try to match him up so I don’t disgrace myself. I ensured I had my own time of prayer and fasting before meetings. ”Makapa” as we used to call him…God richly bless you.

Mr Samuel Hodasi though he had already become an “aluminum” when I got to Echoes, left such a great legacy to look up to (thank you Efo Modupeh, for blessing me with my first mobile phone and current phone number so we could communicate easily).

Mr. Kwabena Frimpong used to also come around every now and then to hold workshops and training sessions. I still have my copy of his book. ”WAIT A MINUTE MUSICIAN”

GHAFES President, Osofo Samuel Boateng, challenged us to come up with a theme song every semester for the fellowship. It acted as a very good motivation for creativity. The many other wonderful people I met at Echoes, whose names I won’t have space to mention, but together with whom our shared experience have molded our various music ministries and impacted our lives for the better.

At the general campus level, I had the opportunity to influence and be part of the work of other music ministries and denominations due to my work with UCC MASS CHOIR MASS DRAMA, NETWORK OF MUSIC DIRECTORS and The Protestant Chaplaincy. Joint Services were awesome, especially Freshers joint service during first semester and Leaver’s Joint Services…we display paaaahhnnn!!! to the glory of the Lord.

I particularly enjoyed working with my many contemporaries at Mass Choir. My president, roommate and ministry partner Pas. William Nana Danso-Abeam, Seth Amankwah-Manu, Alfred Anerfi, Peter Odei, Stephen Kyei, Doris Okyere( Obeyeyie), Micheal Oti-Wiredu, to mention just a few.

To my Seniors, Rev Gyasi Kwaa, the disciplinarian MD, Rev. Jerry Adjinah, The Prayer direction who could make us pray more than we rehearsed, Papa Danny Adu, Amankwaa. God bless you! To MD Maxwell Dziku who challenged me to compose songs for mass choir which resulted in “YELIK3BUAMC” for INTELLECTO 2004 at Legon, and “AFCREBC” for 2005 at KNUST (The year INTELLECTO rained off) among others.

I also got to work extensively with the younger generation, MDs Martinson Gyimah and John Arthur, great gifts to the body of Christ. I worked with MD Kofi extended to PENSA UCC choir, Fountain of Joy (FOJ), where I had the privilege of working with Bro. Akwasi Annor (a mightily anointed vessel).

When MD Martinson approached me to be part of the E’mpraise project, my acceptance was a natural progression of an already blossoming ministry relationship.

I made lots of friends from other campuses, most of which led to long lasting fruitful relationships. Mr Henry Datsomor (though our relationship is a bit more complex), is such an example, which has led to over 10yrs of work in music ministry. Note that eventually, the Lord ensured that I met all the people I wanted to meet in KNUST and more. He also enabled me to be part of a mighty move on the UCC campus which has impacted generations, and built a strong base for my future ministry.

We can make our schemes and strategies, but to God belongs the final word!!

Phew!!I have gone from 2002 aaaaaa till June 2005 it’s been 4yrs on this campus. Am off to Tantre (one of the main transport terminals in Cape Coast) I have completed UCC wae!

If you missed the previous ones, Read Part1, Part2, Part3,

TO BE CONTINUED >> Part5
#mymusicministryjourney

Edited and published by: Clement Afreh CBCInc Hypes @clementafreh