By Michael D. Abayateye
The atmosphere at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Center (AICC) was nothing short of a spectacular Christmas evening amidst music and biblical enlightening as telecommunication giants MTN hosted the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
The event which was held on Friday, December 15 left indelible memories, as hundreds thronged to the venue to join in the festival.
With the arena filled with bright Christmas colours of MTN, yellow and white, audience were sure of a good treat.
The night saw a perfect narration of the birth of Christ with recitations and ‘play’ to remind audience of the essence of Christmas.
As carefully selected scriptures were read (lessons one to nine) from Genesis to Revelations, by distinguished personalities, the audience waited anxiously for the intermittent carols to set the Christmas mood.
As expected, sensational Freda Rhymz took the stage after the first two readings with her entry song, the popular, “Long Time Ago in Bethlehem” which got the audience singing along graciously.
She then drew the crowd on their feet as she performed her own songs, much to the delight of the audience.
To keep the crowd excited was comedian Foster Romanus who interacted with the audience while they waited for the artistes to take up the stage.
Some members of the audience also took the challenge to sing their own renditions of Christmas carols and received goodies from MTN.
Then came the surprise of the night, social media sensation ‘Mama Toli Toli’ and friends led by certified professional dancer, Official Starter who wowed the crowd with their hilarious dance moves.
The trader,Mama Toli Toli(not her real name),became popular on social media following her ridiculous rendition of Asake’s Lonely at the Top.
As they left the stage, followed another scripture reading, the MTN Viva Voices took their turn with their soothing carols and corals.
The night was also not without words of exhortation from Rev. Mrs Rita Korankye Ankrah of the Royal House Chapel International who blessed the gathering and assured them of God’s blessings in the coming year.
It was then time to party after Hosanna hitmaker, Banzy Banero and crowd favorite King Promise of Terminator fame, took the stage to turn the event into a proper ‘showdown.’
Just like an icing on the cake, the evergreen Samini took audience to another level beginning with his ‘Hark the Herald Angel Sing’ Christmas carol before delving into his amazing collection of hits which got the audience on their feet all throughout to ensure what could be described as ‘the biggest of Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols.’
