AFTER 25 years in the gospel fraternity, veteran musician, Grace Ashly discloses her next phase in ministry will focus on mentorship and outreach.

She believes guiding younger artistes and supporting communities are as important as making music, and that this will define her journey going forward.

In a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, Grace Ashly explained that beyond her silver anniversary celebrations, her focus is to create a lasting impact.

“Beyond the event, I plan to deepen my mentorship for younger gospel artistes and also embark on community outreach programmes. This anniversary is just the beginning of another phase of service,” she said.

She added that mentorship has become one of her strongest passions because of its value to up and coming artistes.

“Mentorship is a strong passion of mine now, because I know how valuable guidance is for young artistes. I’m also looking at outreach programmes that combine music with social impact, especially supporting underprivileged communities,” she explained.

Speaking about gospel music today, the Ghana Black Stars Yenie singer praised the growth and creativity in Ghana and across Africa but warned against losing the spiritual core.

“Gospel music has grown tremendously. In Ghana and Africa, we are seeing more creativity, professionalism, and global recognition. But I also believe we must guard the spiritual depth of our music, so that it doesn’t just entertain but continue to transform lives,” she said.

Advising young gospel musicians, she encouraged them to focus on ministry instead of fame.

“Stay rooted in God’s Word and prayer. The industry can be tough, but when you focus on ministry first and not fame, God will open the right doors. Don’t compromise your message for trends, be authentic in your calling,” she stressed.

She also revealed  her inspiration sometimes comes from both new and seasoned artistes.

“There are quite a few! I’m encouraged by the passion of the younger generation of gospel artistes. Their energy and creativity inspire me. At the same time, I continue to admire seasoned artistes who have remained consistent in their ministry,” she said.

Balancing ministry and her music business has not always been easy, but she said putting ministry first helps her stay focus.

“It has not always been easy, but I always remind myself that ministry comes before business. I surround myself with a trusted team that helps me with the business side so I can focus on the spiritual side. That balance is crucial though,” she said.

She is working on new projects. “I’m currently working on a worship project that is very dear to my heart. It focuses on drawing people into intimate moments with God. I’m also exploring songs in different Ghanaian languages to reach wider audiences,” she said.

“Also, have a single coming out soon, and I’m also in discussions with a few gospel colleagues for collaborations. I believe unity in the gospel music industry is very important, so people should watch out for some surprises,” she added.