Ghanaian gospel superstar ACP Kofi Sarpong recently discussed the financial challenges that many people in the gospel music industry face. In an April 22 interview with Joy Prime’s Prime Morning, Sarpong spoke out about his personal struggles, especially with the gospel music industry’s commercial side.
He related stories of how his love for ministry inspired him to perform at functions without according to the rules.ACP Kofi Sarpong did point out that these unofficial agreements frequently left him and the supporting vocalists and instrumentalists who depend on these performances for their livelihood with little pay.
“I even had a problem with my manager over this. Because under normal circumstances, if I’m invited to a programme, it should go through him. And then he tells me we go in here and all that. But before he realises it, I’m somewhere ministering. And after all these ministrations, what I gain out of it is malt and meat pie.
“And then these musicians we work with (the instrumentalists and backup singers) some of them, this is what they do to cater for themselves. So if they follow you, you cannot go take meat pies and tell them that this is what you were given. No, it’s not right. So sometimes I had to go into my own account and pay them,” He stated.
Given the important role that artists play in both ministry and entertainment, he consequently called on those involved in the gospel music industry to provide financial support to artists.
