Ghanaian gospel musician and veteran worship minister Bernice Offei has died at the age of 63.
According to reports, the celebrated gospel artiste died on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Her passing comes just days after she was reported missing in Accra, an incident that sparked concern among her family, friends, colleagues and members of Ghana’s gospel music community.
Bernice Offei was reported missing after she was last seen on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, around Nyaho-Tamakloe Street in the Agbogba area of Accra. An appeal for information was subsequently circulated, prompting members of the public and fellow gospel ministers to join efforts to locate her. She was later found safe, bringing relief to those who had been anxiously following the situation.
A Life Beyond Music
Bernice Offei’s professional life extended beyond her acclaimed career in gospel music. She was a professional banker and worked with Standard Chartered Bank before eventually dedicating herself more fully to music and ministry.
Her academic background was equally distinguished. She attended Achimota School in Accra before pursuing higher education at the University of Ghana, where she obtained an MPhil in Crop Science. She later furthered her education in the United Kingdom, earning an MSc in Information Technology.
Her life therefore reflected a blend of professional achievement, academic excellence and a deep commitment to gospel music and Christian ministry.
Bernice was married to Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and the couple had two children.
A Distinguished Gospel Music Career
For decades, Bernice Offei remained a respected voice in Ghanaian gospel music. Her music was known for its reflective messages, heartfelt delivery and emphasis on faith, perseverance and the realities of life.
Among her best-known songs are “Hold On,” “Life Is Short” and “Kaa Shei Gbeyei,” songs that helped establish her as a household name among gospel music lovers in Ghana.
Her discography included six albums, with notable releases including Hold On, Life, By Grace and Grateful. Her 2007 album Life was particularly significant in her career and earned widespread recognition for its songwriting and vocal performances.
Through her music, Bernice Offei addressed themes that resonated deeply with listeners, offering encouragement and spiritual reflection while remaining grounded in everyday experiences.
Award-Winning Ministry
Bernice Offei’s contribution to gospel music was also recognised at the highest level of Ghana’s music industry.
At the 2009 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, she won two major honours: Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year. Both awards reflected the strength of her vocal ability and songwriting, particularly the impact of her Life album.
Her recognition as both a vocalist and songwriter underscored the breadth of her artistry. She was not simply a performer of gospel music but also a songwriter whose compositions carried messages that connected with audiences across generations.
A Lasting Legacy
Bernice Offei’s career formed an important part of Ghana’s gospel music history. Her songs became familiar to generations of listeners, while her ability to combine music with messages of faith gave her work a lasting place within the Ghanaian Christian music landscape.
Beyond the awards and recordings, her legacy will be remembered through the songs that continue to evoke memories, offer encouragement and speak to the faith of those who listened to them.
Her passing represents the loss of a veteran voice who contributed significantly to the development and growth of Ghanaian gospel music over several decades.
Details surrounding her death, including the cause, have not been officially confirmed at the time of publication.
Bernice Offei leaves behind her husband, children, family, friends, colleagues and countless listeners who were touched by her music and ministry.
May her soul rest in peace.
