Churches have failed gospel musicians – McAbraham

Gospel artiste, McAbraham, says churches have no right to criticise gospel artistes for charging them when they perform in churches and at church concerts.

Speaking to Abrantepa on Radio Univers’ mid-morning show, Brunch2Lunch on Monday, McAbraham chided churches for failing to invest in the singers at the early stage, saying they have themselves to blame for sitting aloof and letting an unbeliever take up that charge.

He remarked that although the primary aim of a gospel musician is to minister through music, it is not to suggest that the service should be rendered for free especially when someone outside the church has invested in the brand.

“The church in Ghana is not doing as they are supposed to do. Just imagine God giving you such a talent as a congregant only for you to sit unconcerned for an unbeliever to develop and invest in the fellow.

Should you complain when the unbeliever charges you before allowing the artiste perform in your church?

Does your conscience prick you? You discovered a talent very early in your church but did nothing to help the singer, meanwhile you were capable of doing everything possible,” he said when asked if churches and a section of the public have a justification for saying that gospel musicians are plying their trade instead of ministering as a result of exorbitant charges to churches.

McAbraham who has sixteen albums to his credit indicated that his comments were not related to him because he was fortunate to be well to do and as such produced and promoted all his albums.

He therefore urged churches to take up the initiative as many talents are going waste under their watch.

“Sometimes, I get worried. About 13 years ago, I suggested that as churches we form a consortium to help nurture, invest and promote congregants with talents so there wouldn’t be any need for anyone to charge for a church program.

But Currently, if you want to promote an artiste, you will spend between almost 70,000 to 100,000 Ghana cedis and you want the person to come sing for free? Let’s invest in them as we discover them. We can do it,” he noted.

Commenting on his seemingly long absence in the music scene, McAbraham known for his hit songs, Chacha, Akyiwade, Ebeye yie among others stated that he has been concentrating more on his pastoral duties at Crystal Life Chapel but will soon be out with an album