Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician Grace Ashley, celebrated for composing motivational anthems that rallied fans behind the Black Stars, has disclosed a heartbreaking incident involving former captain Stephen Appiah that ultimately derailed her contributions to Ghana’s national football team.
In an emotional interview, Ashley recounted the painful encounter, explaining that despite her unpaid dedication to boosting public support for the team through her songs, Appiah’s blunt dismissal crushed her spirit. The artist, who never received compensation from the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for her patriotic efforts, found motivation in the songs’ role in reigniting national love for the Black Stars.
The incident unfolded after a match in Kumasi, where Ashley had actively mobilized supporters. Later, in Accra, while meeting Appiah, a member of her team jokingly urged the players to appreciate her for the affection her music brought to the squad. Appiah reportedly responded by questioning why they should value her work if she wasn’t being paid by the state, advising her to stop composing if unpaid. “He said if I were working for the state, so if I wasn’t getting paid, then I needed to stop,” Ashley shared, visibly near tears during the interview.
Ashley expressed shock at Appiah’s response, believing he, as a key figure in the team, should have recognized the sacrificial nature of her contributions aimed at whipping up enthusiasm for Ghanaian football. Since that demoralizing exchange, she has ceased creating music for the Black Stars, highlighting the emotional toll of feeling unappreciated despite her passion-driven efforts.
The revelation has sparked discussions on social media, with many echoing sentiments about the importance of valuing non-monetary contributions to national causes. Ashley’s story underscores broader issues of recognition for artists supporting sports, as she previously voiced frustrations over lack of GFA appreciation in earlier interviews.