Ghanaian gospel legend Esther Smith has shared deep insights into her music journey, her long break from the industry, and why she believes gospel musicians must stay spiritually grounded.

She spoke in an interview on Accra FM’s Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by  Chef Jerry Forson on Wednesday, November 19.

Esther Smith revealed that her journey out of Ghana began around 2007, when certain circumstances took her to Germany. She lived there for years before moving to India in 2019, where she currently resides, travelling back and forth to Ghana while still doing music internationally.

When asked whether she was still active in the music industry, she explained that she took a 10-year break after releasing her hit song “Som No Yie.”
 “I didn’t release any song again for about ten years,” she said.

“After Som No Yie, I brought Mahodin Ni Mɛ Yansa Sua, but I didn’t promote it well.”

She added that in 2022, while in Maryland, she recorded a video for the song and posted it on TikTok.

To her surprise, it went viral.
 “We just dropped it on TikTok, and it became big.

The song itself had been released two years earlier, but because I didn’t promote it, people didn’t know it.”

The host also mentioned one of her memorable songs, “Nyame Wo Ho,” saying it remains a timeless favourite that stirs emotions whenever played.

Commenting on the current state of the Ghanaian gospel industry, Esther Smith said some musicians are doing well, but others lack depth in the word of God.

“When we were growing up, we learned the word, prayed, fasted, and asked God for understanding.

If we were confused, we didn’t go to pastors for answers; we prayed,” she explained.
 She noted that many modern gospel artists struggle with songwriting because they are not grounded in scripture.

Citing her classic hit “Nyame Aguanma,” she explained that the inspiration came from her pastor’s sermon.
 “He preached that it is only God who could lay down His life and take it back.

I went to ask him more, and he explained how Jesus’ resurrection secured victory for Christians.

That conversation was what birthed the song.”

According to her, sermons today lack such depth.
 “Now some pastors stand on the pulpit and say, ‘Prophecy is in my stomach,’ with no real message.

They focus on consultations instead of preaching the Word.”

She quoted Jeremiah 33:3 and James 1:6 to emphasise the power of seeking God directly.
 “From childhood till now, I have never gone for consultation, yet God’s blessings keep coming,” she added.

Esther Smith agreed with the host’s statement that gospel music is a spiritual calling, not a showbiz competition.
 “This work has many attacks. If you treat it like fashion—dressing nicely, looking wealthy, and copying others—you will suffer,” she warned.

She stressed that gospel musicians must deepen their spiritual roots.
 “Sometimes I write my songs and later realise they contain Bible quotations.

That is because the Word is already in me.”

Esther Smith concluded by encouraging musicians to study the scriptures, stay humble, and treat gospel music as the spiritual assignment it is.