The Minister for Chieftaincy and Culture, Mr. Sampson Kwaku Boafo has called on Christians to unite to help raise the standard of music in the church.

He said unhealthy competitions that were currently going on among various singing groups in churches were against the divine purpose of God for inspiring the formation of Church choirs and these had resulted in poor performances among various choir groups.

Mr. Boafo's speech was read by Mr. George Addo, the of Director, Human Resource and Administration of the Ministry, at the launch of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) Choirs' Union in Accra on Saturday. The Church's Union, which was established in 1958, would be 50 years in 2008 and would be celebrated under the theme:"50 years of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Choirs' Union-The way forward in the 21st century"

In the speech, Mr Boafo indicated that music, which was part of Christian worship, should be seen as a divine calling to the service of God and not a competitive venture that required earthly rewards.

He therefore, urged the Church leadership to insist on the preference of purity as the hallmark of membership to the Church Choir, to the recurrence of embarrassing and unholy confrontations that often occurred in these and other singing groups. Mr Boafo cited instances where people had failed to excel due to jealousy and unhealthy competitions, saying the pioneer Missionaries were acutely aware of the place and power of music in worship, "that is why they translated the words of the scriptures into hymns from the onset."

He noted that through the medium of hymns, Christians do not only declared their commitment, gratitude, hope and affirm their faith in the Lord, but also encouraged and motivate others to seek God's glory.

Rev. Patrick Ayesu, Chaplain of the Presbyterian Boys secondary School, Legon, related the development of music in the Church to as far back as in 1848, when students were taught to read music and play the Organ at the Akropong Presbyterian training College.

He said most of these students later turned out as Choir Masters and Organists in the Church and also Music teachers in other schools.

He however blamed the current decline of music in the church to the total change in the educational system, which had de-emphasised it as a subject of systematic instruction. "Until recently, the school system viewed music as an accidental part of cultural studies, as something which might be learnt informally through participation in music events," he said. Rev. Ayesu mentioned lack of financial support and motivation from the church as one major challenge to the Choir and this has led to poor production of music.

"Our music teachers as well as organists need to be sponsored for special training to enhance their performances to bring back the ancient soul inspiring music to bring back transformation in the church.

He said globalisation seem to be affecting all areas, including the church, which was gradually loosing its indigenous music identity to hymns composed in Western styles (Classics), saying though such music were not bad, efforts must be made to maintain "our own indigenous songs."

Rev. Ayesu called on Churches to establish Music schools to train musicians and also called for the strengthening of the Music Directors Guild at the National level and ensure that it obtained much respect and motivation to take up their proper role as technical instructors in music in various Presbyteries and Districts Unions.

"Any form of power struggle and antagonism should be done away with, while ensuring that the high power vested in the Working committee of the National Executives were streamlined to be more democratic. "As a people who feel redeemed by our Blessed Lord, it is our inescapable duty and also great privilege to pour forth with all our heart and with all our souls and with all our minds, our rapturous praise for such outpouring from the depth of our spirit," he said. He also called for quality leadership to help lift the image of the Church Choir.

Rev. Emmanuel Tetteh Tekpetey, Director, Department of Church Life and Nature at the General Assembly Office of the Church called on members of the Choir to subject themselves to total submissiveness of their leadership, while considering their calling to God's service divine.

"Your lives must be reflective of Christ's own life on earth and be a challenge that would mentor others to the Lord," he said.