Tony D set for big cross-over show in Malawi

Well-known Ho-based musician, Anthony Komla Dagbey, better known as Tony D, is one of an international pool of musicians set to perform at this year’s cross-over service on December 31 at the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG), a non-denominational evangelical church in Malawi.

Founded and headed by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, popularly called Major 1, the ECG church has members from all over the world. Its annual cross-over service at the end of December is usually a big celebration of song and dance in praise of God that attracts people from far and near.

Tony D is the Volta regional chairman of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and also CEO of Tosh TV and Tosh FM.

He is a Highlife- inclined musician and his effective utilization of rhythms and melodies from the Volta Region has pulled people to dance with joy wherever he has performed.  

A member of the ECG church since 2016, Tony D credits Prophet Bushiri for guiding his spiritual development and genuinely supporting his efforts to be a better musician and businessman.

 “A musician could be genuinely impressed with the mentoring and teachings of his pastor and create works to express so,” Tony D says. “There is nothing wrong with making a joyful noise unto God for the blessings He has bestowed through other people.”

In early 2020, Tony D released a track called God’s Open Hands after Prophet Bushiri declared it was the year of God’s open hands.He also put out Happy Birthday Major 1 in that same year to mark Prophet Bushiri’s birthday.

Though well-received in Malawi and neighbouring countries, that song still did not pull in the overall expected listenership due to the COVID pandemic. A 2022 remake of Mahor 1’s birthday song made a huge impact and rotated heavily on social and electronic media in Malawi and beyond. 

Other tracks Tony D has recorded in commemoration of the ECG church or its founder and his wife include The Jesus Nation Church, It’s Your Day and Happy Birthday to Prophetess Mary Bushiri (Godly Mama).

Apart from his faith-based material, Tony D has rallied musicians to record compilation albums to raise funds for music-related projects in the Volta Region. He has also spearheaded peace concerts in election years and put out songs of his own that preach love, togetherness and strong family ties.

A post on Prophet Bushiri’s Facebook page indicated that Tony D was definitely on the bill for what was described as a special, powerful Deliverance Cross-over Night bash. Tony D himself has said the event would be characterized by prophecies and instant miracles and urged everyone who could, to be there.