Gospel songstress Celestine Donkor says Nathaniel Bassey’s admonition to Ghanaian musicians stems from guilt.
According to her, Nigerians are not receptive enough to engage their Ghanaian counterparts in their shows as Ghanaians do.
Speaking in an interview, the ‘Agbe Boloo’ singer said the prophetic message from the Nigerian musician was perpetrated by malice, as most Nigerian artistes are given a premium in Ghana over the local musicians.
“For me, I think this prophecy was inspired by guilt. It was inspired by guilt because when you host a concert in somebody’s country, you put only two of their celebrated artistes on their concert. And because you are feeling guilty about the whole thing clashing with some concerts that are already going on, you prophesy that our time will come,” she lamented.
Celestine Donkor said it is difficult for Ghanaians to gain appreciable reception in Nigeria, unlike the Nigerian artistes get in Ghana.
“You receive a call for an event, there are about five Nigerian artistes on it, and you know that they have paid them huge sums of money, but the moment you put your cards on the table, that is the end of the conversation,” she said.
Celestine Donkor admonished Nathaniel to advise stakeholders in Nigeria to give Ghanaian musicians the same chance to minister at their shows.
“I respect Nathaniel Bassey so much, but I pray that he will also use the same platform like that when he gets on the stage of experience, when he gets on big platforms. He is a global icon. We honor and celebrate him. He should also say, that give your brothers and sisters in Ghana a chance,” she said.
Her comment comes after Nathaniel said at the Jesus Encounter Concert in Accra that Ghanaian gospel musicians should do more songs in English in order to reach wider audiences across the world.
His message has since re-ignited the debate on the role of language in song appreciation.
While some say language doesn’t matter, others hold the opinion that gospel music thrives mainly on message, which is why it is advisable to use a language that a lot of people can understand and relate to.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
