Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician and pastor Josh Laryea has voiced concerns over the growing trend of gospel music that prioritizes material success over spiritual growth. In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, he expressed that gospel music has veered from its original mission, calling for a renewed focus on spiritual upliftment rather than prosperity-centered themes.
“We’ve lost sight of the true purpose of gospel music. It’s time to shift focus,” said Laryea, who leads Kharis Centre International in Accra. Reflecting on his journey, he shared that he, too, had been influenced by the allure of materialistic lyrics in his songs, a trend he now regrets. “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,” he admitted. Laryea explained that his desire to fit in with popular trends had initially swayed him away from the core message of gospel music.
Laryea also pointed to a broader issue within the church, highlighting that pastors often focus on prosperity messages, shaping the way gospel music is presented. “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 remarked.
The “Emmre” and “Ajoomi” singer acknowledged the need for gospel musicians to remain relevant but emphasized that they should not compromise their spiritual calling. “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, who entered the music scene in 1992 with his debut song “His Resurrection Power,” urged both gospel musicians and church leaders to restore the gospel’s true message, reminding them of the impact of music on listeners’ faith and spiritual journey.
