ACP Kofi Sarpong

The Garden City, Kumasi came to a standstill on Easter Sunday, when the MTN Stands In Worship (SIW), took centre stage for the first time in the region.

Hundreds of gospel music lovers trooped to the Golden Bean Hotel, to experience what eventually came out as one of the biggest events within the region this year.

At 5pm (the scheduled time for the show), most of the audience were seated with DJ Carcious warming up the auditorium with some ‘welcoming’ melodies for the anxious fans who were looking forward to a memorable evening.

The night officially started with a grand entrance by MC Abena Kay who ensured that the audience settled in with her amazing command and blend of the Twi and English languages.

What caught the attention of many was some elegant royal folks (chiefs) adorned in rich kente fabrics seated on time and ready to be immersed into powerful ministrations.

Starting with the Kumasi Evengel Choir, patrons were treated to over half an hour renditions of local chorals including “Just by the Power of God,” “God You’re Good” by Francis Adye­i,”Yedi Nkunim” and “Watua M’aka’ by Tagoe Sisters among others.

Apostle Dr Nana Sarpong then de­livered his words of exhortation titled ‘Consider’ and urged Christians to take advantage of such programmes to praise God for his mercy and sacrifices.

His message paved way for the classic man in the Ghanaian gospel music industry, ACP Kofi Sarpong who set the roof on fire with his outstanding ener­gy and stage craft.

Starting with “Amen” and then Esther Piesie’s “Ewuradi Mo,” followed “Agyenkwa” and his usual Presbyterian hymns, the crowd went agog and practically joined him on stage to sing and dance along.

The City’s favourite Bra Sammy’s perfor­mance which followed was nothing short of spectacular with his soothing and spirit-filled voice to bring the crowd into worship mood.

Beginning with his remarkable ren­dition of local worship, “the Nation’s Worshipper” as affectionately called, switched into some powerful praises to bring back ACP’s energy.

The night, however, was far from over as one of Ghana’s greatest vocal­ists and live band performer, Obaapa Christy took over for another specta­cle serving audience with a mocktail of old, recent and new songs including “Ebeyeyie,” “Hyebre Sesafo”, “Ase­da” and “Wagye Me.”

After that she perfectly introduced the icing on the cake, Kweku Gyasi with their song “Mesuafre Awurade” to crown the night with another mem­orable performance.

Patrons did not waste time as they joined the evergreen performer on stage with his high-powered display to dance the night away in what many described as the best gospel event to ever happen in Kumasi in recent times.