By Chidex Onyemah
The Arch Bishop of Christ Holy Church International and the International Chairman of the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), Most Rev. (Dr.) Daniel Okoh, has called on African leaders to harness all available resources towards achieving a united and formidable Africa, especially now that lots of factors, tend to pull the continent apart, which according to him, include; famine, hunger, disease and all kinds of violence.
He made the call at the Opening Ceremony of the African Choral and Gospel Championship (ACGC), hosted in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali from Wednesday, March 23, 2022 to Monday, March 28, 2022.
He lauded the government of Rwanda for exhibiting hospitality to the different choirs from various African countries as well as all delegates at the event. He solicited for more visa free countries in Africa.
His words: “I want to use this opportunity to thank the leaders of this nation for opening their doors for this event. Let us have more of this warm welcome, like we have received in Rwanda; let there be no war, rancho, violence; Let us come together with one voice to sing the unity of our continent… There is no need to have division across our continent. Let us have more visa free countries in Africa, because we are all the same".
Arch Bishop Okoh who is also the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church International, noted that music was an integral part of Africa, which according to him was utilized by the founders of African Independent Churches to spread their churches across the continent.
“When the African Independent Churches started, most of the members were illiterate and the only way the early theologians could communicate the Christian theology to their members was through music… Music is found all over the places in Africa and there is the abundance of talent in this continent” he said.
The OAIC leader commended the initiators of the ACGC, for their determination to ensure the success of the event, despite all challenges. He assured his full support, for another edition of the ACGC, probably in another country and in a larger scale.
Gladnews gathered that about 15 choirs, drawn from seven African countries, including host nation Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon, and South Africa, took part at the event. They include; Harmonious Chorale, Akoo Show, Accra Diocesan, Grace Chorale, and Symphonials, all from Ghana; All-Female Choir, Bacmac Choir, and Lagos City Choir from Nigeria; host choir Chorale de Kigali, Choeur International, Alarm Ministries, Ishema Ryacu Choir, and Ensemble Instrumentale de Kigali among other choirs.
Winners at the event include; Nkosingiphile Lubisi (Classical Soloist Category); Bryan Aidoo (Gospel Soloist Category); All-Female Choir (Female Choir Category); Akoo Show Choir (African Folk and Traditional Chorus Category); The Symphonials (Sacred and Church Choir Category); Bokamoso Chorus (Opera Music Category); Bokamoso Chorus (Open Mixed Repertoire), among others. There were also special awards to Chorale de Kigali for having the most resplendent costume and to Heavenly Jewels Chorale for being the most represented choir in most ACGC 2022 activities.
Gladnews reports that Christ Holy Church International was a major sponsor of the ACGC 2022.
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