Former traditional priestess who has become an evangelist, Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, known by the name Nana Agradaa, has received a 15-year prison sentence with hard labour from an Accra Circuit Court today (July 3, 2025) after being found guilty on various charges related to deceptive advertising and fraud.
This conviction stems from a widely shared televised appearance in 2022 on her Today-TV channel, where she asserted that she could “double money” for those who provided cash donations to her congregation, the Heaven Way Champion International Ministry situated in Weija, Accra.
Court records indicate that Nana Agradaa utilized her media outlets to invite people to an overnight service, assuring attendees that any donations made would be miraculously increased. The prosecution noted that “the defendant successfully solicited and took large amounts of money from some individuals who attended the aforementioned all-night service… including the complainants in this case.”
Although at least six people formally filed complaints, prosecutors estimate that more than a thousand individuals were deceived during this one church event. The victims came from various parts of the country, drawn in by the promises presented on television of extraordinary financial benefits that never came to pass.
Additional inquiries uncovered that Nana Agradaa executed the scheme alongside undisclosed partners. The court concluded that her conduct was part of a meticulously planned scam that took advantage of the credulity and desperation of her followers.
Before the finalization of sentencing, the court mandated a pregnancy test as per Ghanaian legal standards for female offenders. The test confirmed that Nana Agradaa was not expecting, enabling the court to move forward with her 15-year sentence, including hard labour.
This verdict is being recognized as a crucial advancement in the battle against religious fraud and deceitful practices in Ghana. It also communicates a strong message regarding the government’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitative schemes masquerading as spiritual assistance.
