Joe Mettle Launches Maiden Album

For people who were present at the launch of Joe Mettle’s maiden album, whenever they encounter a question like “what is gratitude?” the first thing that is most capable of coming to mind is what transpired at the Exhibition Assemblies of God Church (Dansoman, near Seven Great Sch.) on the 12^th of June 2011. 

The Soul winner’s icon, after years of being within the gospel music industry and inspiring a lot of youth with his praise jams finally launched his maiden album. In a season such as this where rain is even able to swerve the meteorologists, one might think it unwise to fix such an important event here. Well, even though there were some showers prior to the programme that day, it didn’t stop the enthused audience from showing up. People came from as far as Tema and all corners where Mettle’s music or ministrations had been heard: children, adults, even babies were present, but most especially the youth. The most thrilling thing was the massive attendance of his Local church folks. They really showed how much love and support they had for a brother.

The programme begun at 4pm with song ministrations from one of Ghana’s talented energetic praise singers, Francis Amo popularly known as Minister Francis. This guy sure knows how to treat typical, old Ghanaian gospel songs with the contemporary touch. He had the privilege of taking the audience through the opening prayer, worship time as well as a short time of praises. With Ike Duodu engineering sound, one could only expect the best of sounds as ministrations were received from contemporary Ghanaian gospel singers like Ike Nanor and John Sena. There was also a guest performance by Eugene Zuta together with Em’ Praise. Then the time came for the man of the day himself, the man showing Gratitude to God in the album titled MY G-R-A-T-I-T-U-D-E, to grab the microphone. He rocked the place like no mans business with his Reggae gratitude.  Calvis Hammond of Joyful Way Incorporated was not left out as he took his turn to minister a song he featured in the album.

After a powerful prayer had been said upon the CD’s they were released for auction sales starting from Gh¢2000; with the head pastor of the Exhibition Assemblies of God Church being the first to purchase one CD at that price in support of Mettle’s hard work. People couldn’t just help but also rush for their copies of the CD’s at prices they could afford. Certainly with a programme as this, one wouldn’t expect fellow “tight” musicians and choirs not to be present. Talk of musicians and choirs like Opoku Agyemang Sanaa, Eric Jeshurun Okyere, The Pent Project, Em' Praise, just to mention but a few. This was indeed the gathering of the saints but this time, the "music saints" because over 80% of people present were either music lovers of music makers.

In the end Joe had a fantastic time as well as the audience. He also took the opportunity to clear the air about the misconception that he was no longer with Soul winners and demonstrated it as he ministered together with the group at the end of the programme. In fact their ministration at the end rocked the whole place better than previous ones. With their old songs like “Hallelujah Ose” coming straight to today’s “Wala Abolo”, the audience could not help but be kept on their feet throughout their ministrations.  I guess this was a clear indication of what the scripture means by “the latter shall be greater than the former”. Phiphi Pholson the presenter at Sunny FM was also the M.C. for the day.

By: Julius Ofori Boadu (JOB)
(juliusboadu@gmail.com)
Twitter: @CwesiOfori