Spiritual Warfare Allegations Shake Ghana’s Gospel Music Scene

 

Over the past few years, Ghana’s gospel music industry—widely considered a sacred space devoted to worship and spiritual upliftment—has been rocked by disturbing allegations of spiritual attacks, sabotage, and occult practices. Several well-known gospel musicians have come forward to share chilling experiences of spiritual manipulation allegedly perpetrated by colleagues within the industry.

These revelations have stirred national concern and sparked a larger conversation about the authenticity, unity, and spiritual purity of those who minister through music.

Award-winning gospel artist Cwesi Oteng revealed in an April 2025 interview on JoyPrime that his early success was met with fierce spiritual resistance. According to him, individuals within the gospel community felt threatened by his rising influence and resorted to dark methods to derail his progress.

People were doing all sorts of things. They took my album to places; some even took it to cemeteries, he said. He described this as a “spiritual war” waged out of jealousy and envy by fellow gospel musicians and even church figures.

Veteran gospel singer Esther Smith, after returning to Ghana for a major concert in Kumasi in August 2024, also shared eerie experiences she believes were spiritual attacks. She recounted how her car’s front tyre burst on the way to the event, which she felt was no mere accident.

Following the concert, she was stunned to find a mysterious black, soaking wet chicken perched on her car, while all other vehicles nearby remained untouched. “Some people did not come to my concert to worship God. They came to launch spiritual attacks,” she said in an interview.

Empress Gifty has also alleged that fellow gospel artiste Cecilia Marfo was behind a ritual attack against her. In an interview on Happy FM, she claimed a junior pastor from Cecilia’s church confessed during a service that Cecilia had buried a GH¢ 50 note with Gifty’s name on it to spiritually hinder her.

Cecilia was asked what her problem was during a church service, and she mentioned me. I was shocked when her assistant pastor made this statement in an audio, Gifty revealed.

Popular evangelist and gospel singer Diana Asamoah has long accused Cecilia Marfo of engaging in spiritual warfare against her colleagues. On Angel FM, she claimed Cecilia had performed rituals to “bury” the songs of fellow gospel musicians in a bid to make her own music reign.

She buried the songs of other artistes so that only her music would gain prominence,” Diana stated, adding that despite those alleged efforts, Cecilia’s influence eventually diminished.

Brother Sammy, known as the “Nation’s Worshipper,” corroborated these claims, stating that Cecilia and her junior pastor buried GH¢ 50 notes with the names of artists to end their careers. He further alleged that the Church of Pentecost was aware of her activities and expelled her as a result.

These shocking claims have cast a shadow over Ghana’s gospel music industry, which is supposed to be a space rooted in faith, unity, and healing. While some remain skeptical, the consistency of the allegations from multiple respected musicians cannot be ignored.

Industry stakeholders, church leaders, and fans alike are now calling for a deeper spiritual reflection and cleansing within the gospel fraternity. Many believe the time has come to return to the true purpose of gospel music: to minister with purity, humility, and divine intent.

As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear—Ghana’s gospel music industry must confront these dark claims head-on if it is to preserve its credibility and spiritual essence.