Who says anyone who does active sports, cannot get time to do other things, like doing music, preferably gospel to praise the Almighty God? Christopher Opoku can prove that person wrong.
History was made yesterday as Christopher Opoku, the celebrated sports journalist and Metro TV presenter became the first sports journalist to veer to music as he launched his ‘Oye Mame’, a nine track gospel album.
Sports and music are two different things, no gel whatsoever and Christopher concurs. “There isn’t much of a gel but just that both are part of me, in fact, music is something I started even before I got to sports, so its been a hidden love but its been the first love” he told GhanaCelebritis.Com after the launch.
Christopher Opoku has a giant-look-alike structure with a commanding, sometimes intimidating voice to match it. Truths hurt and people who say the truth are branded as ‘haters’ in this part of the world, but Chris has managed to stay resolute and do his work [running football commentary and hosting sports programs] with much alacrity by the special grace of God.
As a sports commentator and host of various sporting activities, Chris finds himself commenting on various issues concerning football and whenever his opinion is seeked, he makes sure he says whatever is on his mind rather objectively without fear or favour. His bold utterances have earned him as one of the unbiased presenters in Ghana who is not afraid to call a spade a spade!
What many people didn’t know is that, aside being a sports person, Chris is also the choirmaster of his church, Believers House of Worship International, Nungua, also the venue for the launch of his maiden album ‘Oye Mame’.
The night wasn’t just for the launching of the album; it was turned into a full church service, the only thing missing was that, there wasn’t any offertory taken as it’s done at a normal Sunday church.
The invited guests were welcomed with good music – they were taken through worship and praises segments before the resident choir of the church; Living Echoes treated the audience to inspiring gospel tunes under the tutelage of their choirmaster Christopher Opoku.
The church auditorium turned into a mini gospel show when one of the best gospel musicians in Ghana, Moses OK was invited to dish out hits after hits to the gathering.
He is known for churning out good worship songs and he didn’t disappoint in inspiring the guests. It was as if the second coming of Jesus was due.
Immediately after, Pastor David [Impact Project] lighted the audience with his superb and funky performance. Though I detest comparism, I can say he is Ghana’s Firk Franklin. Christopher Opoku with assistance from the church choir took over the stage for the first package performance. They performed first ‘Oye Mame’, the title track. They followed it up with ‘Me Hwehwe Wo’ [I’m Looking For You] and climaxed with ‘Nkunim’ [Victory].
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoDS0PZk0C0
Reverend Yawson took over to treat the audience to three of his superb worship songs. After his performance, the General Overseer of Believers House of Worship International, Reverend Abraham Lamptey touted him [Rev. Yawson] as the Bishop of Gospel songs. He, therefore chastised Christians for their arrogance and proud for not recognizing leaders or pioneers such as Rev. Yawson.
The album was declared duly launched by Reverend Lamptey shortly after his wife; Mrs. Gloria Lamptey had dedicated the album to the glory of the Lord Almighty. Now that the album has been launched, are Ghanaians likely to see Chris mount various stages?
He said: “it is possible but just that I’m little bit picky. You realized from tonight’s launch, we didn’t set out to entertain; we set out to worship God and I would love to be part of a programme where genuinely we are worshipping God. Too many shows these days bring the gospel down at the expense of entertainment, I don’t really want to be part of that but I want to be part of a worship experience.” He said to wrap up the beautiful launch ceremony.
The album launch attracted sports journalist such as Prince Annang and Michael Katahena, both are Senior Sports Presenters at Metro TV. Also present was Nana Kwaku Agyemang, a top commentator and critic. The launch was chaired by Mr. Jojo Duncan, a high ranking figure in Ghana football. He is also the owner of Second Division side, Proud United. Mr. Clifford of Clifford Metals was also present.
Christopher takes inspiration from God as well as his late mother and hopes to combine his sports journalism as well as singing to praise the most High God.
By Ebenezer Anangfio Jnr./GhanaCelebrities.Com/Ghana
maiden album? he had an album already back in 2002-2003… when he was at Luv Fm