The Sureway Assemblies of God Church Choir has been the main ‘face’ of the Sureway Assemblies of God Church located at Windy Hills, Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana.
The church was established in 1999 by an annointed man of God called Rev. Dr. Reginald Daniel Boateng Who was gifted in music.
He was the music director when he was fellowshipping at the highly appreciated North Kaneshie Assemblies of God church in the early 1990s.
It didn’t come as a surprise when he decided to invest heavily in the Sureway AG Choir when he established the church and he keeps doing that.
These investments in the music department of the church, which was demonstrated in the buying of very quality and expensive musical instruments transformed the church into the most vibrant music oriented church in Kasoa.
At a time when most churches in Kasoa were even struggling to put up a structure for service.
Most of them came to Sureway AG for their professional rehearsals in the wake of an upcoming event.
The first choir director appointed by Rev. Dr. Boateng to groom the new choir which was Ike Arthur popularly called “Wofa Kwame” in 1999.
The first crop of members were Initially made up of some Senior adults with musical background from the North Kaneshie Assemblies of God Church who were now members of the new church like: Mr. and Mrs. Okona, Mrs. Angela Acquah (a Gifted soloist), Mrs. Christie Asante (multi-talented singer), Mrs. Owusu Mintah, Mrs.Gloria Boateng (Wife of Rev. Dr. Boateng), among others.
Ike Arthur’s strict application if adherence to discipline among the choristers was legendary.
He made sure talents always moved with humility, shaped by good time management in reporting to rehearsals and an attitude to learn.
After 3 years of hard work, the membership of the newly formed choir grew as new members joined the popular church.
By December 2002, new faces like: Kate Blankson, Beatrice Johnson (now Mrs. Gakpo), Wofa Yaw, Joyce Darkoaa (now Mrs. Allotey), Joyce Asieduaa, Sister Martha and a dancing sensation who was loved by the whole church for his unique dancing skills, Henry Amoako popular known as “The Grande Master”.
He later led the dance revolution which made the church “a dancing church”.
Under the tutelage of Mr. Ike Arthur, the choir embarked on numerous musical programs all over Accra.
The choir became very formalized with peculiar robes and uniforms as and when the occasion demanded.
He created a constitution for the choir to regulate attendance and enforce discipline.
Several talented singers joined the choir as the years progressed.
Notable among them were: Georgina Dei (popularly called Gina), her exploits in the choir earned her an opportunity to live outside Ghana where she still lives, Mr. John Nyanator who is currently in South Africa (he was a vibrant praise and worahipper), Mr. Emmanuel Blankson, Mrs. Charlotte Wuaku, Mr. Agyiri, Lisa Boateng among others.
The choir had a talented drummer called Mr. Inkoom (who is now a presiding man of God).
After 10 years of being choir director, the leadership crown of the choir fell on several heads including Ike Okona (a multi-talented instrumentalist), later to a Liberian descent called Aligri (Professional musician).
After an alarming leadership drought, Rev. Dr. Boateng appointed Mr. Emmanuel Blankson to take over as Choir President
Mr. Ike Arthur whose work took him all over Africa was now seriously engaged but occasionally he came around to offer technical advice.
Patricia Ama Konadu (now Mrs. Blankson) was elected choir director around that very time.
Her passion for music was soothing as the budding soloist held the church spellbound with her sonorous voice.
Under her watch, the choir was rebranded as TOP Choir (Tebernacle of Praise Choir).
New programs were planned. Both outdoor and indoor programs.
One popular indoor program which was initiated by 2012 and has been in place to date is the evergreen “Worship In His Presence” Gospel Music Fiesta.
Several churches around Kasoa and beyond are usually invited to the program.
It is organised to usher in every new year.
A precursor to the church’s 21 Days Prayer and Fasting program.
In 2015 the choir absorbed the drama wing of the church into her activities.
Since then Music and Drama nights has been organized jointly to enhance the package annually to date.
The current president of the choir is Mr. Opare Akonnor who has spearheaded a magnificent upgrade of the choir to reflect international standards.
The incumbent choir director is Mr. Bernard Nyarko (a talented drummer who has been with the church over a decade)
Their goal is to groom the new generation of choiristors to become worshippers for national and international events which is duely on course.
Kudos to all benefactors who helped make the choir a success over the years: The late uncle Zai, late Mr. Fia, the late Bismark Bebley, the late Shiva Otto, the late Rev. Faitin, Mr. and Mrs. Asante, Mr. and Mrs. Acquah, Mr. and Mrs. Okona, Rev. Yawson, Mrs. Fia, Dr. Abiba and many others whose names are written in Gold in Heaven.
Written by: Henry Kwadwo Amoako
Sources : African-Research.com and Afrisearchgh.com
Great and refreshing by far.
Thanks