Ghanaian musician OPANKA has shared an emotional account of how his music made a life-saving impact, revealing that his song “Hold On” helped prevent a young woman in the United States from committing suicide.
According to the artiste, the song became a source of hope for the young woman during a deeply difficult period in her life. OPANKA disclosed that the woman’s mother later reached out to him to explain how the song’s lyrics encouraged her daughter to persevere and rethink her decision at a time when she felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
“Hold On,” released five years ago, features award-winning singer and songwriter Kofi Kinaata and carries a strong message of resilience and perseverance.
OPANKA made the revelation during a discussion on Atinka TV’s social programme Efie Asetena, hosted by Odehyie Naana, where he spoke about the influence of music lyrics on human emotions, mindset, and behaviour.
He stressed that music goes far beyond entertainment and has the power to shape thoughts, inspire hope, and influence life-changing decisions, particularly among young people.
The musician noted that while many artistes focus heavily on the commercial side of music, its social responsibility is often overlooked. He therefore urged his colleagues in the music industry to be intentional about the messages they put out.
“Music is powerful. It can heal, motivate, and save lives just as it can also mislead,” OPANKA said.
“Children and young people listen to our songs every day, and the lyrics we release can influence their mindset and actions.”
His story has reignited conversations about the role of music in mental health awareness and social development, highlighting how meaningful content can have a profound impact beyond borders.
OPANKA concluded by encouraging artistes to strike a balance between creativity, commercial success, and social responsibility, emphasizing that music with purpose can make a lasting difference in people’s lives.