Nii Okai, Joe Mettle, others pay tribute to Danny in concert

For those who were oblivious to the ocassion, perhaps the hundreds of people who had gathered at the forecourt of the State House last Friday evening were patrons of yet another gospel concert.

This was because, the atmosphere was charged with praise and worship songs. But the loud voices that boomed across the forecourt were not jamming at a gospel concert but paying glowing tribute to gospel music icon, Danny Nettey who died on July 15, 2016.

It was an occasion were admirers, family, and kith and kin of the gospel music icon, Minister Danny Nettey gathered to hold a Tribute Concert for his works which were acknowledged in both Ghana and beyond.

For many, it was supposed to be a solemn moment since a great asset was lost but in the words of those who gave testimonies of the gospel star, “he had ran a good race on earth and had been called to a higher place”. 

That, for the organisers of the concert was an inspiration to celebrate him than mourn his loss.

According to them, Minister Nettey represents a fresh generation of gospel music ministers who have come to understand the pivotal role music plays in the life of the believer, and the need for quality to be packaged in the praise and worship of God. 

And that was what the artistes who mounted the stage exhibited on the night.

From Nii Okai, Joe Mettle, Ike Nanor, Uncle Ato, Celestine Donkor and a host of other young ministers Danny trained, they gave patrons a reason to celebrate the man whose remains laid before them. 

The concert, scheduled to start at 6:30 kicked off with prayer after which well wishers were allowed to file pass the body to pay their last respects to him. 

For a brief moment, there was sorrow but that would change when Nii Okai and a choir performed his popular song, I Believe, to raise the spirits of patrons.

Artiste after artiste did nothing short of taking the patrons through spirited praise and worship spree by performing songs from Danny Nettey’s four albums namely Positive Change (1995), My All To You (2001), I Believe (2006), As We Worship You (2014) and other popular songs. 

The soothing words from Danny’s songs such as Atemuda, Love From, Above, Lord I worship, Thank You, Adom, In Your Presence, Here I am, Rescue, Can’t Live Without You, All Over the World, Mala Mala  were enough inspiration for the mourners to celebrate Danny.

Uncle Ato and Celestine Donkor must have touched the tear glands of mourners when in a refelctive mood, they performed Danny’s popular Metease song.

Apart from the renowned artistes who blessed the souls of the patrons with their songs, there were performances from various group among which included Pals of Danny Nettey, an all male group who were groomed by the man reputed to be founder of contemporary gospel artiste.

Launching a website, www.dannynnetey.org, which aims at preaching and preserving his works, Ms Esther Cobbah,  CEO of Stratcom Africa said “We know Danny is at a higher place where his works are needed. 

“ Our ways aren’t the ways of God and we know and believe that his works will go on and be a testimony of his dedication of the work of God,” she stated. 

The concert which ended at midnight was hosted by Citi FM’s Bernard Avle and Kojo Oppong Adjei of Sunny FM.

Danny Nettey who would have turned 48 on Monday, September 19 was called to glory at dawn on Friday, July 15, 2016.