Liberia Association of Gospel Musical Artists (LAGMA), in collaboration with the Future Group International (FGI), held its annual LAGMA Award on Sunday, December 24, 2023 at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, outskirts of Monrovia.
Speaking at the award and honoring ceremony, the President of LAGMA, Ambassador Miracle A. Kettor, said Gospel musicians are important for the spiritual growth and development to any nation, with Liberia no exception.
Ambassador Kettor noted that over the years Liberian Gospel artists have not been respected by the Christian community in Liberia, especially some pastors who take their singing for granted in the Body of Christ.
According to her, the work of the Liberian Gospel music artists is not supported and appreciated by the Liberian Christian Community, compared to foreign Gospel music and their artists in Liberia.
She emphasized that the lack of support and appreciation to promote Liberian Gospel music and artists financially and morally is undermining potential Gospel artists in Liberia.
Ambassador Kettor asserted that despite all the challenges that Liberian Gospel artists go through to produce their music albums, Liberians, particularly in some quarters of the Christian community, try to condemn their work without any justification.
She pointed out that Liberians should learn to appreciate and support their Gospel artists’ work—if the development of artistic works in Liberia is to advance to the global stage in the near future.
“We are tired with the ‘did well’ trophies as Gospel musicians in Liberia, without benefiting from our work financially,” she added.
Ambassador Kettor emphasized that it is about time for Liberian Gospel music artists to unite and support each other in their endeavor to produce quality Liberian Gospel music to the glory of God and the Liberian people.
Those honored and awarded are Iseal Boy-Weah Seah, Cecelia Andrews, Choko Barchu, Baryou Kieh, McDonald Kparcular, John Zarweay Gaye, Pastor Klah Doteh, Evang. Dr. Ben Greatness, Ambassador Charles Sleyon, Ambassador Marron Cassell, Abigail Omega Vinton, Sayon Mayson, Prince Toe Iseal, Johnson Garteh, Patricia Nyanti Keahtoe, Denise M. Karnley, J. Henry Flomo, Ophelia L. Cooper, Kolu Dweh, Rufuss D. Corneh, Josephine Kennie, Adonise Rennie, Decontee Yance, Alice Togbe, Joseph J. Monwan, Martina Martin, Jonathan Buck, Levi Zanger and Ambassador Miracle Kettor.