Veteran Ghanaian gospel artiste, Jack Alolome, is challenging the widespread belief that faith-based musicians should avoid politics.
In an interview with Nana Romeo on Okay FM, he argued that his support for a political party does not compromise his calling, nor should it be seen as a spiritual misstep.
“Why do people say that?” he asked. “If anyone misses the way to heaven because of that, they chose and decided to backslide themselves.”
Alolome believes that gospel musicians can use their platforms for more than just spiritual upliftment, including national development. “Perhaps, we are using our influence to help save the country when it is derailed,” he explained.
Reflecting on his early political leanings, Alolome revealed that his roots were firmly planted in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), a connection he attributes to his upbringing. “I was the child of diehard NPP supporters,” he noted.
In 2016, he was invited by Sam Pyne to perform at an NPP rally at the Kumasi Sports Stadium. He cancelled another scheduled event in Breman Asikuma to honour the call, delivering what he described as a memorable performance.
“We came and gave a great performance – I was introduced by Lord Inusah. I even created a song on the spot for the party,” he said. However, post-performance efforts to receive payment were fruitless. “But after all that, whoever I called for payment referred me to someone else. We were never paid.”
According to Alolome, this disregard for his time and service exposed a deeper issue. “We had the right to be paid,” he asserted, adding that both he and his team had made sacrifices to be present.
The experience prompted a shift in loyalty. Later that same year, Alolome was approached by Hon. Armah Kofi Buah of the NDC — a man from his hometown. He agreed to perform at Buah’s campaign launch.
“On the day, the DJ struggled to play my song, so I had to perform a cappella,” he recalled. “I did that for about five minutes on stage. Later, when I returned to my hotel, they came to thank me for gracing the occasion.”
He was stunned by what followed: “When I checked the money they had left for me, it was GHS20,000 – back in 2016. I placed it on my bed, took a picture, and sent it to my family, telling them this party was better and that we should be with them instead.”
He insists, however, that his shift toward the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was not motivated by financial reward but by respect. “The [NPP] party came to power and performed the worst,” he said, criticizing the Akufo-Addo-led administration while reaffirming his endorsement of former President John Mahama.
Performing before Mahama was a turning point, one he described as a blessing. “It was divine grace,” Alolome said. That moment inspired his gospel anthem Begye Yen (“Come Save Us”), a track he says connected deeply with NDC members.
“They told me they loved the song. And truly, it made an impact.”
Despite his increasing visibility in political circles, Jack Alolome remains humble about his aspirations. “My education was not deep enough,” he admitted, noting he does not expect high-ranking appointments. Still, he remains open to “generous acts of kindness and befitting contracts.”
