Ghanaian gospel musician Josh Laryea has bemoaned the over saturation of songs that glorify material success at the expense of songs for spiritual uplift.
“We've lost sight of the true purpose of gospel music. It's time to shift focus,” he told Graphic Showbiz in an interview.
Josh, who is also the head pastor of Kharis Centre International at La in Accra, said in times past, he also got swayed by songs that carried such prosperity messages.
“I’ve been a victim myself and it took a while for me to realise I was going off course. I started to notice that the lyrics of my songs were changing. Looking back now, I have some regrets but I accept that at the time, I probably didn’t want to be a lone wolf so I followed the trend,' he said.
He therefore blamed this phenomenon on pastors for frequently delivering sermons laden with such messages instead of propagating things that will draw people closer to Christ an change their lives for the better.
“I will partly blame pastors for the shift in focus of gospel music. It is said that ‘you are what you hear’ and the outcome of what the church is doing is what is happening with gospel music now,” he said.

Pastor Josh Laryea said because songs themed on material success get a lot of people's attention, most gospel musicians lean towards that direction.
“Yes, we need to be relevant, but not at the expense of our spiritual mandate. It's time to refocus on the message since we are gradually creating a culture where people believe God's primary concern should be the state of their bank accounts,” he said.
Josh Laryea got into the music industry in 1992 when he released his debut song, ‘His Resurrection Power’.
He is also known for songs like 'Emmre', 'Ajoomi', ‘Ngboo’, 'Kane' and 'Bisa.'
Latest Stories
-
Finance Minister to deliver mid-year budget review on July 24
2 minutes -
Rotary renews pledge to fight polio, expand its impact footprint across Ghana
21 minutes -
Minority blasts government appointees for ‘celebrating violence’ in Ablekuma North
35 minutes -
NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn wins Ablekuma North seat in crucial rerun
41 minutes -
Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly announces two-month ultimatum for developers to regularise building permit
1 hour -
Asantehene assures Kumasi Zoo won’t be relocated
1 hour -
Results from Ablekuma North rerun: Ewurabena Aubynn is MP-elect
1 hour -
TECNO kicks off New Era with SPARK 40 Series and CAF Partnership
2 hours -
Justice Blay apologizes for controversial comments on radio interview
2 hours -
Minority condemns violence, police inaction in Ablekuma North rerun
3 hours -
Ablekuma North rerun: Counting done, collation underway
3 hours -
“We neither sleep nor slumber,” says NPP’s Akua Afriyie as polls close in Ablekuma North rerun
3 hours -
GJA demands transparent probe over police officer’s assault on journalist at Ablekuma North
3 hours -
NPP Deputy Organiser Chris Asamoah beaten to pulp during Ablekuma North polls
3 hours -
Ablekuma North rerun: I don’t feel sorry for Hawa Koomson, she deserves it – Hannah Bissiw
3 hours