Former fetish priestess turned evangelist, Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by an Accra Circuit Court after being found guilty of charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretenses.
Her sentencing came shortly after a court-ordered pregnancy test confirmed she is not pregnant, clearing the way for the court to pronounce its judgment.
Presiding judge, Her Honor Evelyn Asamoah, emphasized in her ruling that Nana Agradaa “executed the offences skillfully” and showed no remorse for her actions.
The judge described the conduct of the convict as calculated and deliberate, meant to exploit the faith of unsuspecting followers.
Agradaa was found guilty of running a money-doubling scam during an all-night service at her church, Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, located in Weija.
Several church members testified that she promised to multiply their money but vanished after collecting large sums under pretenses.
Known for her dramatic switch from traditional priesthood to Christian evangelism, Nana Agradaa has long been a controversial figure in Ghana’s religious landscape. She will now serve a 15-year jail term for her actions.
However, moments after being sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labour, the controversial evangelist and former fetish priestess offered a brief but cryptic message to her followers as she was led out of the courtroom: “Mpaebo no a” — a Twi phrase meaning “only prayers” or “let it be prayers.”
The statement came in response to a journalist who asked if she had any words for her church members before heading to begin her sentence.
Calm but guarded, the founder of Heaven Way Champion International Ministry gave no further comment, leaving observers to interpret her remark as a final spiritual plea or a quiet signal of resignation.
The ruling is being hailed as a significant step in the fight against religious fraud and charlatanic practices in Ghana. It also sends a strong message about the state’s readiness to protect vulnerable citizens from predatory schemes disguised as spiritual intervention.
Judge Condemns Agradaa’s Deceit
Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah of Circuit Court 10 sentenced the founder of the Heaven Way Champion International Ministry to 15 years in prison for two counts of defrauding by pretense.
The sentencing followed a plea for leniency from her lawyer, Richard Asare Baffour, who urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
In his mitigation, Baffour described his client as a mother of five, stressing the profound impact her incarceration would have on her children, particularly her eldest, a 24-year-old law student, and her youngest, just three years old.
“We humbly approach your mercy seat and, on bended knees, pray that you temper justice with mercy. A custodial sentence may shatter the dream of this young lady who wants to be a lawyer… The last born is just three years old and will need the care and attention of her mother.”
Baffour
He argued that the televangelist had shown remorse, respected the court throughout the proceedings, and distanced herself from her controversial past.
He also noted that one of the charges was a misdemeanor, leaving room for a non-custodial sentence such as a fine. “She is a first-time offender,” he claimed. “We honestly believe that participating in this trial for the past three years is punishment enough.”
However, lead prosecutor ASP Emmanuel Haligah countered that claim, noting that Nana Agradaa had already been convicted in 2021 for a similar offence and fined GH¢10,000.
“This is not a first-time offence. There was clear premeditation. We’re seeing a rise in these fraudulent advertisements on our airwaves, and a strong sentence is necessary to deter others.”
ASP Emmanuel Haligah
He added that the controversial televangelist’s repeated offences demonstrated a lack of remorse and argued that a stiff punishment was necessary to send “a clear message” to others considering similar acts.
In delivering her judgment, Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah acknowledged both sides but ultimately sided with the prosecution, finding the offences to be deliberate and lacking in genuine remorse.
On the charge of charlatanic advertisement, she imposed a fine of 25 penalty units (GH¢300). For the two counts of defrauding by pretense, she sentenced the controversial televangelist to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
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