Don’t be too spiritual, put your health first – Alice McKenzie tells gospel singers
Even with the conviction that God’s blessings include divine health, UK-based Ghanaian gospel artiste Alice Mckenzie is urging her fellow gospel musicians to strike a balance between their demanding careers and personal well-being.
Alice explained that as a professional nurse who has been practising in the UK for over 10 years, she has been privy to the rate of death caused by stress-related diseases and encouraged her colleagues not to hide under “divine protection” to not seek proper medical attention.
The Beautiful singer who was speaking with Graphic Showbiz at the launch of the Alice Mckenzie Foundation on Saturday, August 10 at Sowutuom in Accra, stressed that gospel musicians should not neglect their physical health in pursuit of spiritual endeavours.
“The demanding nature of the music industry, coupled with the pressure to maintain a spiritual image, can take a toll on gospel artistes’ physical and mental well-being. We travel all over the country to bless people with our music. But while fulfilling this spiritual mandate, we shouldn’t forget about the well-being of our physical bodies that are under undue pressure and can succumb when not well taken care of.
“Stress doesn’t know whether you are a child of God or not and I’ve seen many colleagues burn out or fall ill due to sheer exhaustion. Besides, we need to remember that our bodies are temples, and we must take care of them. It’s essential to take time off, rest and go for regular medical check-ups.
“We must remember that rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Let’s take care of ourselves, so we can continue to serve and inspire others through our music,” she added.
Touching on her newly established Alice McKenzie Foundation, Alice revealed that the foundation’s primary focus is to highlight the crucial need for early diagnosis to save lives and provide medical equipment to healthcare facilities nationwide.
She said she had been inspired to set up the foundation following the death of her mother who was a victim of late medical diagnosis, as well as a friend’s account of challenges in Ghana’s healthcare system.
Additionally, she hopes to support the training of healthcare professionals, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare outcomes in Ghana.
“I believe this foundation will make a significant impact. By emphasising early diagnosis and supporting healthcare workers, we can save lives and strengthen the healthcare system,” she said.
Alice says she is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and invites individuals and organisations to join her in this mission of positively impacting the lives of the less fortunate.
Currently, Alice is celebrating her blessings with a brand-new single, “Beautiful”, to express her gratitude for God’s presence and guidance in her life.