Veteran Ghanaian gospel musician and professional banker Bernice Offei has died at the age of 63.
She died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, according to reports from Ghanaian media outlets. The cause of her death has not been publicly confirmed.
Bernice Offei was one of the veteran voices in Ghana’s gospel music scene, with a career spanning several decades. She was known for her distinctive vocals and faith-based songs, including “Life Is Short,” “Hold On” and “Kaa She Gbeyei.” Other songs associated with her include “No One Compares,” “Nyame Aye Bi Ama Yen,” “Whom Am I,” “Me Gyefo Te Ase,” “Suomo” and “Your Handiwork.”
She released six studio albums during her career, with her sixth album, Life, released in 2007.
The album earned her two major honours at the 2009 Ghana Music Awards, where she won Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year.
Beyond music, Offei also had a career in banking. 3News reports that she worked with Standard Chartered Bank and held an MPhil in Crop Science from the University of Ghana as well as an MSc in Information Technology from a university in the United Kingdom.
Her death comes shortly after concerns were raised over her whereabouts in Accra. She was reported missing on September 1, 2026, after she was last seen in the capital.
Her family, friends and members of the gospel music community appealed for information, and she was later found safe.
News of her death has since drawn tributes from members of Ghana’s gospel music community and others who knew her work.
Bernice Offei leaves behind a catalogue of gospel music that remains part of Ghana’s musical heritage.
