A female die-hard fan of Sarkodie, out of intense admiration for Sarkodie and in appreciation of his top-drawer performance, lied prostrate before Sarkodie on live stage not long ago – feat gospel musicians should not overlook but see as a big challenge.

At this year’s edition of Ghana Meets Naija held at Accra International Conference Center on Saturday, 24^th May, 2014, a transfixed and enamored fan of award winning musician, Sarkodie, by name Benedicta Ofosu, rushed to the stage and stretched prostrate before the said musician and crying like a baby – after which she hugged him.

The bewilderment in the whole drama, was the fact that as the lady was leaving the stage, she almost staggered to fall – as she looked groggy. Two key words which were conspicuous in most of the reportage by most online journalist were – ‘worship’ and ‘hypnotized.’

Whilst some of the headlines read – ‘female fan ‘worshipped’ Sarkodie at Ghana Meets Naija,’ others had it that – ‘Sarkodie’s performance at Ghana Meets Naija hypnotized a female fan.’ Though one can reckon that the use of those words were squarely hyperbolic, most patrons who attended the event, admitted that Sarkodie’s performance was splendid – compared to all the artists who performed on the night.

Though the word worship has been there before religion came into being, it’s largely used to describe one showing devotion to God, a demigod or a deity; but, another meaning of the word (as a noun) which many have not paid attention to is – a feeling of profound love and admiration for something. So the reporters did not commit any blasphemy when they said a fan ‘worshipped’ Sarkodie.

Indeed, they even put the worship in inverted commas to appease the conscience of religion extremists. According to the lady: “I’m a crazy fan of Sarkodie. His performance was something massive for me. I felt what he did and I was so much happy about it. I wanted to show him that someone feels and appreciates what he is doing.

I was not expecting anything bigger than just a touch from the rapper. I was ok with just touching him and I was so much excited with having a hug from him. I never thought I could have a hug from him.”The lady’s gesture, made the multifaceted rapper cry on stage after which he lifted and embraced her.

Gospel musicians do not just perform their songs. Some minister the word of God on stage! Some preach on stage! Some pray on stage! Some worship God on stage! Some praise God on stage! Some perform miracles on stage! Some prophesize on stage! Some also call on the Holy Spirit to fill the ambience as they perform!

So the germane questions worth mulling over are: is/are there any gospel musician (s) who can perform on stage to hypnotize a fan to walk on stage and worship or lie prostrate and pay obeisance to the fellow? Do our gospel musicians have such sharp charisma that can move fans?

Are the lyrics or messages by our gospel musicians’ empyrean, transcendental, auspicious and sublime enough to cause their fans to do what a fan of Sarkodie did? Which of our gospel musicians can achieve that? Do our gospel musicians have die-hard fans like secular artists?

Sarkodie is a challenge to our gospel musicians! As for awards/award nominations, the chap has won/had plenty – both home and abroad; with his latest being BET Award nomination for the second time. With corporate brand endorsement deals, he stands tall and so has the nerves to say ‘money no bi problem.’

Whether gospel musicians like it or not, they are in some sort of competition in their chosen field. They should see what a fan did to Sarkodie as a telling dogma and a challenge to learn from. Once again, Sarkodie is that challenge I present to our gospel musicians! Untl then…MOTWUM!!