Ghanaian Gospel musician Obaapa Christy has openly declared that she does not perform at events for free, not even for friends or acquaintances.
Speaking on UTV on November 2, 2025, the singer explained that her decision is based on experience and the need to sustain her craft and livelihood.
According to her, ministry and music are her profession, and as such, she deserves to be compensated for her work.
“I will actually stand and take my money before I leave. Even if I know the person, I will still take it. That’s because I’ve learnt my lessons on certain things. The most important thing is me delivering exactly what I’m expected to do,” she said.
She emphasised that while people expect her to minister, they often forget that performing comes with expenses she must cover personally.
“That’s my job and that’s what God has blessed me with, so if I don’t charge, how then will I feed? When someone has a problem and they seek help from me, it’s the same money that I would use to assist the person,” she stated.
Obaapa Christy also dismissed the perception that charging for performances is unspiritual, adding that she has built a brand that comes with standards.
“I won’t be on TV and say I don’t charge; I do. When someone charges less for an event, it doesn’t mean I should also take less amount of money. There are levels to everything, and in this job we do, I’ve been able to build my brand so I’m different from others who charge less,” she shared.
She further said that her fees cover essential costs such as transportation and logistics.
“When people book me, I will definitely buy fuel before getting to the location, so I’m supposed to get paid so that I can fund those petty things. From the beginning of my journey, I’ve always been very particular about the money,” she added.
