Another criticism about one of the finest gospel artiste that has come to the notice of your most authoritative Flex newspaper is that Sonnie Badu has no regard and respect for his colleagues gospel musicians in Ghana.
This criticism came during his recent mega show dubbed �Africa Worships with Sonnie Badu� held at the Accra International Sports Stadium on the 30th of November, 2013. According to Flex newspaper informant, Sonnie Badu failed to give respect to the various Ghanaian gospel artistes who were billed to have performed at his show.
He did not seek consent from the management of the artistes in question before using them for adverts. He never discussed with anyone how much he was going to pay them for the full sponsored program. No wonder, some of the gospel musicians declined to perform on the day. The likes of Ohemaa Mercy, O.J, Cwesi Oteng refused to honor the program in connection with this allegation.
We also hear that Sonnie Badu after paying huge sum of Dollars to the international gospel musician Ron Kennolly, Sonnie proposed just a Ghc.1000 (Thousand Ghana Cedis) each for the Ghanaian gospel musicians.
Upon hearing this, your reliable Flex newspaper decided to approach some of the Ghanaian gospel musicians to ascertain the truth in the matter. Speaking to the management of the ubiquitous Ghanaian gospel musician O.J, Mr. Stephen Kenneth Nakujah told Flex newspaper that they refused to appear on the Africa Worships with Sonnie Badu, because, they were neither contacted nor contracted to come perform.
�It was until people started calling us to tell us they were coming to the show to meet us, that was when we realized O.J was put on the show. We gave them space to operate and see if they would have respected us along the way but they disregarded us. No single person from the organizers called us, maybe, they are yet to,� Stephen Nakujah narrated.
This reporter again, called into the office of BBNZ, the management board of Ghanaian contemporary gospel musician Cwesi Oteng and was told that the organizers called them to only ask whether Cwesi Oteng would be available on the said day and they (Cwesi's management) assured them (the organizers of the concert) he would be available.
�Whiles waiting for them to call back and put things on contract, we rather heard them, using Cwesi Oteng's name for adverts and publicity until the day came. So we had no option than to prevent our artiste from mounting that stage, because, we have never allowed any of our artistes to perform on any program without a contract. To us, we will say no respect was shown to us and we are very sad that, this could happen, most especially from the camp of an artiste who wouldn't allow anyone to treat him like that,� BBNZ management member also added.
Speaking to an insider in Ohemaa Mercy's camp, we were told that, they were not also contracted. According to the insider, negotiations did not end until they heard Ohemaa Mercy's name being used for publicity. They tried to have corrected the organizer to do the right things looking at the relationship between them but they were in return shown disrespect. Strenuous efforts in speaking to the organizers proved futile at the time of going to press.
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