Ishmael Philemon Ackon

Bro. Philemon leads worship at the Shenzhen International Fellowship in China, a congregation of up to a thousand people. The Ghanaian gospel singer won Best Male Artist in African Inspirational Music at the 2014 All Africa Music Awards.

Background

Ishmael Philemon Ackon was born at Manse, near Kumasi, on 15 October 1980 to Beatrice Ivy Ackon and the late Rev. Emmanuel Eddie Ackon of the Methodist Church. He attended St John's School in Sekondi and studied at the University of Ghana and the University of Education, Winneba, earning a BFA in theatre management and a music certificate.

Music

His album M'asan Aba, dedicated to his late father, includes "It Is Well" and "Mobo Wo Dzin" with Morris Babyface and songs with OJ and Alexandra Aboagye. Later singles include "All the Glory", "Meda W'ase" and "Fill Me Up". He has ministered in Europe, the Middle East and Asia and won at the Africa Gospel Music Awards in the UK in 2013 and 2014. He lives in China with his wife, Mary Joy, and their two daughters.