Ghanaian gospel musician Sonnie Badu has justified the acceptance of sponsorship from condom manufacturers for gospel-related initiatives, insisting that such support should not be viewed as inappropriate.
Speaking in an interview on Angel FM in Kumasi, Sonnie Badu explained that condoms are also used by many married couples as a legitimate form of birth control, and therefore should not automatically be linked to immoral conduct.
He emphasised that sponsorship from such companies does not contradict Christian values when the purpose is positive.
He further mentioned that raising funds in the gospel music industry can be extremely challenging, especially when aiming for excellence.
As a result, he said, gospel musicians are sometimes compelled to explore unconventional sponsorship opportunities to successfully carry out their projects.
“The level of excellence we want to pitch, I don’t think any gospel musician has ever had a company willing to invest over 100 million dollars,” he said.
He noted again that traditional allocation avenues, such as banks, often decline support for gospel projects due to their target clientele.
Sonnie Badu said he would ensure any sponsorship from a condom company is handled responsibly, including having the company create appropriate adverts to avoid sending the wrong message.
He drew a similar comparison to alcoholic beverage companies, noting that many also produce soft drinks, which could be safely used for sponsorship.
He emphasised the financial challenges gospel musicians face, pointing out that pastors are often unable to provide substantial funding, making sponsorships an important means to realise high-quality projects.
Dr Badu’s comments highlight the delicate balance between maintaining gospel values and securing resources to produce impactful gospel music initiatives.
