Fruitful Living
MTN Stands in Worship 2025: A divine stage where praise meets purpose
Year after year, one event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar draws thousands with a magnetism that’s hard to explain but impossible to ignore—MTN Stands in Worship.
Now firmly entrenched as the country’s most beloved gospel concert, the 2025 edition held at the Grand Arena Dome on April 20 proved once again why it’s more than just a musical gathering—it’s a national spiritual revival, a cultural celebration, and a purposeful platform for both emerging and veteran gospel voices.
For many Ghanaians, Stands in Worship is not just an event; it’s a sacred appointment. An annual Easter tradition that brings together people of all walks of life, it embodies the power of music to inspire, heal, and unify.
Honouring veterans
One of the defining pillars of MTN Stands in Worship is its unwavering commitment to supporting gospel musicians, particularly those whose voices once ruled the airwaves but are now less seen in mainstream circles.
This year’s performance by the legendary Tagoe Sisters was a testament to MTN’s conscious effort to preserve and promote the heritage of gospel music.
In an era where platforms are often skewed toward the young and viral, MTN has carved out space for Ghana’s gospel pioneers to shine again. Their return to a grand stage was more than nostalgic—it was a powerful statement: your ministry still matters.
Talents
MTN’s investment in the gospel space goes beyond lights and sound. With initiatives like the MTN Viva Voices, which opened this year’s show with roof-raising praise, the company is actively developing young gospel talent.
The group, made up of professionals with a heart for ministry, brought a sound so powerful it instantly raised the spiritual temperature in the Dome.
And then came the spiritual architects—Moses OK, Nacee, Bethel Revival Choir, and Empress Gifty—each delivering powerhouse performances that moved both body and soul. These acts aren’t just popular, they’re transformational, and MTN has been instrumental in giving them a platform to minister on a massive scale.
Anticipation
It’s no exaggeration to say Ghanaians wait all year for this night. Long before tickets go on sale, social media buzzes with anticipation. The phrase “Are we standing this year?” has become a coded expression of hope, joy, and spiritual yearning. For many, the concert was more than a show—it’s a turning point.
Take Maame Serwaa from Amasaman, for example. Like thousands of others, she made the journey, braved the queues, and danced with a heart full of praise. “This is where I reconnect with God in the loudest, most beautiful way,” she said. “I wish it happened every month.”
Not just performance
MTN’s approach to Stands in Worship is refreshingly different from the typical corporate-sponsored concert. While entertainment is high on the agenda, the brand’s true intention is impact. Through uplifting messages, acts of kindness (including giveaways of airtime and smartphones), and powerful moments of worship, MTN leaves its audience not just entertained—but transformed.
And the ripples extend far beyond the Dome. Gospel artistes gain visibility, streaming numbers soar, and many find renewed relevance and ministry opportunities after performing on the Stands in Worship stage.
Looking ahead
As the final chords of Empress Gifty’s thunderous finale echoed through the Grand Arena Dome and the crowd slowly spilled into the night, one thing was clear: MTN has once again created something rare—a national altar in the form of a concert.
A night where technology meets testimony, branding meets blessing, and Ghana’s gospel heartbeat is heard loud and clear.
With its perfect blend of worship, celebration, and purpose, MTN Stands in Worship has not only lifted hands—it has lifted lives, elevated the gospel industry, and preserved a sacred space in Ghana’s music culture. And in doing so, it has become not just a concert— but a legacy.
Review by Andrew Nortey
Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
JESUS, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. – Luke 4:1-2a
Introduction
Lent is a period when the Holy Spirit strengthens us to face the day to day testing and temptations. Just like Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil, we also have power and will to overcome any temptation that comes our way. I invite you to give your whole heart to Jesus Christ and enjoy the power to overcome the devil’s schemes.
Tempted by the devil
One aspect of Jesus’ temptation resolved around what kind of Messiah, or Saviour, He would be and how He would use His anointing (His authority and empowerment) from God. (Many Jews would reject Him because He did not fulfill their expectations of a political “Saviour” who would step forward with military might and free them from Roman rule.)
• Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to serve His own self-interest to gain glory and power over the nations instead of accepting the humility and suffering that was ahead for Him. This was an opportunity for Him to satisfy the people’s expectation for a charismatic Messiah.
• Satan still tempts Christian leaders to use their spiritual authority, position and ability for their own self-interest, to establish their own reputation and power and to please people rather than God. Those who selfishly compromise with Satan have actually surrendered to His control.
• Jesus turned away every one of Satan’s temptations by properly referring to God’s Word (“It is written”). If this was the effective strategy for Jesus, we certainly must know and rely on His Word as revealed to us in the Bible.
LUKE 4:4 – MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.
• Satan tempts Jesus’ “flesh”, or physical desires, of which hunger is perhaps the strongest – particularly after such an extended time without food. While it may have seemed reasonable to perform a miracle to eat, Jesus would not be tempted to use His power for selfish reasons. Jesus meets and resists Satan’s temptation by declaring that He will live by God’s Word above all else.
Jesus is saying that everything truly important in life depends on God and His plans and purposes. To strive for success, happiness or material things apart from God’s way and purpose will lead to disappointment and end in failure.
Jesus emphasized this truth when He taught that we must seek God’s kingdom (God’s authority, activity, purposes and power in our lives) above anything and everything else. If we do, God promises to take care of all our needs and give us all other necessary things just the way He intends.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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