Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician and songwriter Bernice Offei, one of the country’s respected voices in gospel music, has died at the age of 63.

News of her death emerged on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with fellow gospel musician Nii Noi announcing the development on social media.

The late Bernice Offei is behind some of Ghana’s enduring gospel songs, including Life Is Short, Hold On and Kaa She Gbeyei.

Her death comes just days after she was reported missing in Accra. She was last seen around the Nyaho-Tamakloe Street area of Agbogba on September 1, prompting her family and members of the public to launch an appeal for information. She was subsequently reported to have been found safe.

The circumstances surrounding her death, including the cause, had not been officially disclosed at the time of publication.

A career spanning decades

Bernice Offei’s musical journey began in her youth. In an interview published in 2009, she recalled becoming interested in the acoustic guitar while at Achimota School in Accra in 1979. She subsequently sang in churches and Christian groups and participated in crusades before recording her first album.

Her debut album, We Are Victors, was released in 1991, followed by Hold On the same year. The latter became a major breakthrough for the singer, with the title track helping establish her as one of the prominent female voices in Ghanaian gospel music.

She went on to release projects including Me Kosu, Grateful and Life, building a catalogue that combined Christian teachings with messages of faith, perseverance, gratitude and hope.

Her 2007 album Life proved particularly significant. At the 2009 Ghana Music Awards, Offei won Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year, recognition of both her vocal ability and songwriting talent.

Songs that defined her legacy

Offei was best known for songs such as “Hold On,” “Life Is Short,” “Kaa She Gbeyei,” “Nyame Kokroko,” “N’adom Ara Kwa,” “Odo A Wodo Mi Nti” and “Don Bi Rebo.”

Hold On became particularly associated with her ministry. The song’s message of remaining steadfast in difficult moments resonated with listeners and helped cement her reputation as a gospel artiste whose music offered encouragement during periods of hardship.

Another of her signature recordings, Life Is Short, reflected on the brevity of human existence and the importance of making life meaningful. The song remains one of her most recognised recordings and continues to be available on digital music platforms.

Other popular recordings, including It’s By Grace, N’adom Ara Kwa and Kaa She Gbeyei, further demonstrated the breadth of her gospel repertoire.

Beyond music

Offei was also known for balancing her artistic career with academic and professional pursuits. She attended Achimota School and obtained an MPhil in Crop Science from the University of Ghana as well as an MSc in Information Technology from the United Kingdom. She also worked in banking before eventually devoting herself more fully to gospel music.

Her career therefore extended beyond entertainment, reflecting a life that combined music, education and professional service.

With a career that stretched across several decades, Bernice Offei leaves behind a musical catalogue that became part of the soundtrack of Ghanaian Christian worship and inspirational music.

For generations of listeners, songs such as Hold On, Life Is Short and Kaa She Gbeyei will remain a lasting reminder of her contribution to Ghana’s gospel music tradition.

Bernice Offei was 63. May her soul rest in perfect peace.

Source: www.kumasimail.com

Ghanaian Gospel Legend Bernice Offei Dies at 63

Accra, Ghana — Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician and songwriter Bernice Offei, one of the country’s respected voices in gospel music, has died at the age of 63.

News of her death emerged on Saturday, September 12, 2026, with fellow gospel musician Nii Noi announcing the development on social media. MyJoyOnline also reported her death, describing her as the hitmaker behind some of Ghana’s enduring gospel songs, including Life Is Short, Hold On and Kaa She Gbeyei.

Her death comes just days after she was reported missing in Accra. She was last seen around the Nyaho-Tamakloe Street area of Agbogba on September 1, prompting her family and members of the public to launch an appeal for information. She was subsequently reported to have been found safe.

The circumstances surrounding her death, including the cause, had not been officially disclosed at the time of publication.

A career spanning decades

Bernice Offei’s musical journey began in her youth. In an interview published in 2009, she recalled becoming interested in the acoustic guitar while at Achimota School in Accra in 1979. She subsequently sang in churches and Christian groups and participated in crusades before recording her first album.

Her debut album, We Are Victors, was released in 1991, followed by Hold On the same year. The latter became a major breakthrough for the singer, with the title track helping establish her as one of the prominent female voices in Ghanaian gospel music.

She went on to release projects including Me Kosu, Grateful and Life, building a catalogue that combined Christian teachings with messages of faith, perseverance, gratitude and hope.

Her 2007 album Life proved particularly significant. At the 2009 Ghana Music Awards, Offei won Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year, recognition of both her vocal ability and songwriting talent.

Songs that defined her legacy

Offei was best known for songs such as “Hold On,” “Life Is Short,” “Kaa She Gbeyei,” “Nyame Kokroko,” “N’adom Ara Kwa,” “Odo A Wodo Mi Nti” and “Don Bi Rebo.”

Hold On became particularly associated with her ministry. The song’s message of remaining steadfast in difficult moments resonated with listeners and helped cement her reputation as a gospel artiste whose music offered encouragement during periods of hardship.

Another of her signature recordings, Life Is Short, reflected on the brevity of human existence and the importance of making life meaningful. The song remains one of her most recognised recordings and continues to be available on digital music platforms.

Other popular recordings, including It’s By Grace, N’adom Ara Kwa and Kaa She Gbeyei, further demonstrated the breadth of her gospel repertoire.

Beyond music

Offei was also known for balancing her artistic career with academic and professional pursuits. She attended Achimota School and obtained an MPhil in Crop Science from the University of Ghana as well as an MSc in Information Technology from the United Kingdom. She also worked in banking before eventually devoting herself more fully to gospel music.

Her career therefore extended beyond entertainment, reflecting a life that combined music, education and professional service.

With a career that stretched across several decades, Bernice Offei leaves behind a musical catalogue that became part of the soundtrack of Ghanaian Christian worship and inspirational music.

For generations of listeners, songs such as Hold On, Life Is Short and Kaa She Gbeyei will remain a lasting reminder of her contribution to Ghana’s gospel music tradition.

Source: www.kumasimail.com