Just a few days after gospel music veteran, Bernice Offei, was reported missing and subsequently found safe, the celebrated singer is reported to have died.
The shocking news was confirmed by fellow gospel artiste, Nii Okai, who paid tribute to the veteran musician in a social media post.
“Life is real short… Rest Well Sis Bernice Offei,” he wrote, accompanied by the hashtags #StanChartGhana, #CMAG and #hephzibahconference.
Details surrounding Bernice Offei’s reported death remain scanty at the time of going to press.
Her reported passing comes days after concerns were raised over her whereabouts after she was reported missing in Accra on September 1. She was subsequently found safe, bringing relief to her family, colleagues and fans.
Bernice Offei was one of the respected voices of Ghana’s gospel music scene, with a career spanning several decades.
She began her music ministry while at Achimota School in the late 1970s, singing in churches and at Christian gatherings before establishing herself as a recording artiste.
She became widely known for songs including Hold On and Life Is So Short, with the latter becoming particularly associated with her message about the brevity of life. She had six albums to her credit, including We Are Victors, Me Kosu, Grateful and Life.
Beyond music, Bernice Offei was a professional banker and worked with Standard Chartered Bank before eventually going into full-time music ministry.
Her contribution to gospel music earned her national recognition, including Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year at the 2009 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Her death, if officially confirmed by her family and other relevant sources, would mark a major loss to Ghana’s gospel music fraternity, coming at a time when she had only recently returned to the public spotlight following the missing-person scare.
For now, tributes are beginning to emerge, with Nii Okai among the first prominent gospel artistes to publicly mourn her.
