Joe Mettle, Mary Ghansah and gospel stars honour Bernice Offei at Legon remembrance night

Accra, Ghana — The air at the Legon Interdenominational Church (LIC) was thick with nostalgia, worship, and collective grief on Wednesday night as Ghana’s gospel elite gathered to bid a musical farewell to the legendary Bernice Offei. In a solemn yet uplifting service, icons like Joe Mettle and Dr. Mary Ghansah led a star-studded lineup that turned a night of mourning into a powerful celebration of a life well-lived and a legacy that will echo for generations .

The free “Night of Remembrance,” held just three days before her burial, was more than just a concert; it was a homecoming for a woman whose music defined an era of Ghanaian gospel. The atmosphere was electric as the LIC choir and the Harvest Gospel Choir set the tone, but the emotional peak came when veterans Mary Ghansah, Cindy Thompson, and Pastor Joe Beecham took the stage. Together with contemporary stars like Joe Mettle, Nii Okai, and Eugene Zuta, they delivered soul-stirring renditions of Offei’s classics, including the poignant “Life Is Short” and the encouraging “Hold On” .

The evening was not solely about music. The Most Rev. Prof. J. Asamoah-Gyedu delivered a special exhortation, reminding the congregation of Offei’s dual legacy as a minstrel and a devoted servant of God. The presence of Women in Gospel Music added a touching tribute, symbolizing the sisterhood that Offei fostered throughout her decades-long career . For many attendees, hearing Joe Mettle and Mary Ghansah share a stage to honor a woman who paved the way was a full-circle moment for the genre.

Bernice Offei, who passed away on September 12, 2026, at the age of 63, was remembered not just for her six acclaimed albums, but for her humility and academic brilliance. Beyond the spotlight, she was a banker with Standard Chartered and held an MPhil in Crop Science, proving that her excellence extended far beyond the recording studio . As the night concluded, it was clear that while her voice may have fallen silent, the songs she left behind—and the artists she inspired—will continue to carry her message of faith and perseverance forward.

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