Joyful Way Incorporated thrills at Explosion Of Joy Concert

Ghanaian gospel music group, Joyful Way Incorporated (JWI), on Boxing Day put up a grand showpiece of a concert at the National Theatre as climax of its 40^th Anniversary celebrations this year. The concert, dubbed Explo 2012- the Anniversary edition, was a special edition of Joyful Way Incorporated’s annual Explosion of Joy concert and had patrons drenched in charged worship and praise atmosphere. As expected the concert pulled record crowd for both sessions: afternoon (2-5pm) and evening (6-9pm), all commencing on time unlike recent events. Perhaps, the no mean milestone chalked by Joyful Way Incorporated had attracted music lovers all over who wanted to pay respects and throw their support behind the legendary group for its faithful service that has transformed lives over the years and still continues to. The afternoon session began with choreography from JWI’s choreography team after an opening prayer and acknowledgment of sponsors by comperes, Sammie Ewool and Ace Ankomah. Then Joyful Way Incorporated Phase 2, the younger generation of JWI singers who are made up of singers from JWI cells in Mfantsipim School, Ghana National College and Wesley Girls High School, mounted the stage and treated patrons to some songs from Joyful Way Incorporated repertoire of popular songs before making way for another choreography. With a grand entry that was characterized by deafening applause from patrons, JWI led by music director, Calvis Hammond, got on stage for the first package of their ministration for the afternoon session. Singing Fred Hammond’s hit song, ‘This is the Day’, and flanked by vibrant choreographers, JWI got all patrons on their feet with the praise jam. Guest minister David Brew joined in on keyboard to help JWI minister Don Moen’s ‘Thank You’ which the crowd loved so much particularly for it’s timely essence when the year was almost coming to an end. Then the ministration of William McDowell’s ‘You Are God Alone’ transformed the atmosphere within the theatre into one of worship for Pastor Helen Yawson to continue. Pastor Helen did not disappoint as she paid her dues ministering powerfully Kiki Sheard’s inspiring hit song ‘Indescribable’ which the patrons loved so much before her own songs ‘Only God’ and ‘Power Belongs to You’ from her recently released album.  Later she led alter call before making way for JWI’s President, Mr. Michael Charway, to present JWI’s Anniversary Year report in which he made a clarion call for all to help continue JWI’s mandate of outreach in villages and secondary schools. A minute silent was observed for the late Obeng Agyemang, a member of JWI who sadly passed away in the year. Next was the evergreen Soul Winners who never cease to dazzle their audience anytime they are on stage. With Joe Mettle as lead vocalist, they began their ministration with creative arrangements of a couple Christmas carols over a hypnotic afro-beat rhythm to awe patrons. They did not end there but heightened the euphoria in the auditorium with their popular song, ‘Wala Abolo’ before a praise medley. Soul Winners were simply spectacular during the afternoon session. Afterwards, Joyful Way Incorporated singers were on deck to conclude the ministrations for the night but not before a captivation short drama depicting JWI’s outreach in Senior High Schools and the varying characters and problems that are ministered to. Though short, the sketch was very touching and again showed the essence of the great commission Christians have been tasked with. On stage, the JWI singers relied on some of their classic hits including ‘Ose Yie’, ‘Adom’, ‘Wo Din’ and ‘Yiw Yesu Yie’. They got all patrons up dancing to some authentic gospel highlife tunes before turning things up with Sonnie Badu’s ‘Afro Praise’ and Uche Agu’s  ‘We Here to Praise’. It was all excitement and jubilation in the auditorium especially when they ended with their own hit song, ‘Higher Praise’ with matching choreography. The concert was over but patrons wanted more as the lingered around but had to make way for the next session which was even mega. For 40 years now, Joyful Way Incorporated (JWI), Ghana’s legendary gospel music group has ministered to many audiences all over Ghana and to a far extent abroad, pioneering good and quality gospel music with touching messages of the gospel. As part of celebrations marking the group’s 40^th Anniversary, JWI organised 40 different events across Ghana including outreaches, health screening programmes, seminars, gospel rock shows and talks. Explosion of Joy 2012 held on Boxing Day was the climax of the celebrations this year. Sponsors for the concert include Ecobank, Type Ghana, Sinapi Aba, Cleaning Solutions Ltd., First Capital Plus, Stanbic Bank, DPP, Super Plus and a host of media partners.    ]]>