EVANGELIST NANA AGRADAA SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS WITH HARD LABOUR fOR DEFRAUDING THE PUBLIC

NEWS HEADLINE:EVANGELIST NANA AGRADAA SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS WITH HARD LABOUR fOR DEFRAUDING THE PUBLIC

  By Cassandra Duku 5TH JULY,2025
 Source:Graphic Online


     Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, widely known as Nana Agradaa, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour by an Accra Circuit Court. The controversial evangelist and former fetish priestess was found guilty of defrauding members of the public under the false pretext of offering a money-doubling spiritual service.

    The court, presided over by Her Honour Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, handed down the sentence on Wednesday, July 3, 2025, following Agradaa's conviction on one count of charlatanic advertisement and five counts of defrauding by false pretence. This verdict marks a significant step by the judiciary in clamping down on spiritual scams that exploit the desperation and vulnerability of the public.

     The charges against Nana Agradaa stem from a televised and livestreamed broadcast in October 2022, in which she appeared on her self-owned media outlet, Today TV, and social media platforms. During the broadcast, she announced a spiritual service at her church, Heaven Way Champion International Ministry in Weija, Accra. She claimed that she had the divine power to "double" any amount of money brought to her altar.

    In a bid to convince viewers, Agradaa displayed huge bundles of cash on air and promised to share GH₵300,000 among attendees of the special all-night church service scheduled for October 7, 2022. She urged viewers to attend in person, claiming the blessings and financial breakthroughs would be immediate and life-changing.

   Following this announcement, many individuals across the country traveled to her church with money in hand, hoping to receive multiples of what they brought. At the church, the congregants were divided into groups. Some groups were told to contribute GH₵1,000 per person with the promise of receiving GH₵50,000 in return. Others paid GH₵900 with similar expectations of financial gain.

    However, none of these promises were fulfilled. Instead of receiving the multiplied money as promised, attendees were left disappointed and defrauded. Nana Agradaa allegedly vanished after the event, leading many victims to file complaints with the police. While only six people formally lodged complaints, prosecutors informed the court that over 1,000 people nationwide had likely fallen victim to the scam.

    Investigations conducted by the Ghana Police Service revealed that Agradaa had indeed collected large sums of money during the church service and failed to deliver on any of her promises. Her actions were deemed deliberately deceptive, preying on the financial struggles of Ghanaians using religion and spirituality as tools of manipulation.

    In accordance with Ghanaian law, which requires a pregnancy test to be carried out before sentencing a female convict, Nana Agradaa was tested and confirmed not to be pregnant. This allowed the court to proceed with the full custodial sentence of 15 years with hard labour.

    Legal observers and members of the public have hailed the sentence as a bold step towards holding self-styled religious figures accountable for fraudulent activities. The ruling sends a clear message that deceptive religious practices, especially those involving financial scams, will no longer be tolerated by the justice system.

    This is not the first time Nana Agradaa has been in the news for controversial reasons. Formerly a traditional priestess, she claimed to have converted to Christianity and rebranded herself as an evangelist. Despite her change in religious affiliation, she continued to attract public criticism for her dramatic style, controversial sermons, and past involvement in money rituals and “sika gari” schemes.

    The court’s decision to impose a heavy custodial sentence underscores the importance of protecting the public from fraudulent religious claims, especially in a country where faith and spirituality play a central role in many people’s lives. It also serves as a strong deterrent to others who may be considering similar schemes under the guise of religious ministry.

NEWS HEADLINE:SAM GEORGE  PROMISED DSTV PRICE CUT AFTER MEETING MULTICHOICE EXECUTIVES ON FRIDAY 

Story source:Graphic Online


1.Yes. The picture shows Sam George addressing the media, which aligns directly with the headline about him promising DSTV price cuts following a meeting with MultiChoice execs. It visually underscores that the announcement was official and public.

2.The image conveys confidence and authority. Sam George appears composed and assertive, projecting a sense of reassurance and leadership. It evokes optimism and assurance, rather than sympathy or controversy.

3.There’s no evident manipulation. However, the framing-showing only Sam George in a formal setting-omits MultiChoice representatives, which subtly centers the narrative on his role and could tilt perception towards the government’s proactive stance, downplaying corporate input.

4.The central framing and clear lighting on Sam George emphasize his importance. The Ghana flag in the background lends a sense of officialdom and patriotism. The tight focus on him reinforces the message that he is the driving force behind the promised changes.

5.It reinforces the headline effectively but doesn’t add depth. While it underscores that he spoke publicly, it doesn't show follow-up interactions, the MultiChoice execs, or behind-the-scenes negotiation

6.Yes. Including a photo of Sam George shaking hands with MultiChoice executives or a press conference involving both parties would suggest collaboration and progress. Conversely, an image of frustrated consumers could shift the tone to urgency and public pressure.

7.Other outlets (e.g., GBC, Citi Newsroom) include similar images—typically Sam George at a podium or in a meeting. Some even show him seated across from executives. Graphic Online’s image is standard but less comprehensive than meeting-room shots that include MultiChoice reps  .

8.Yes. The presence of the national flag and formal setup reinforces his official capacity and aligns with Ghanaian civic norms. Culturally, the image depicts a public official acting in a manner expected by citizens. However, it lacks representation of wider societal or consumer perspectives.


NEWS HEADLINE:GHANA:NEW OIL AND GAS DISCOVERY OFF CAPE THREE POINTS GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR DEVELOPMENTS 

Story Source:Graphic Online


1.Yes. The offshore drilling rig visually supports the headline about new oil and gas exploration. It reinforces the idea of deep-sea extraction.

2.It evokes a sense of industrial power, national progress, and economic opportunity. It may also raise environmental concerns depending on the viewer’s perspective.

3.No obvious manipulation, but the image frames offshore drilling in a neutral or even positive light-without showing any negative impacts or controversies.

4.The centered, well-lit rig dominates the image, focusing attention on the scale and technical strength of oil operations, which complements the tone of national achievement in the headline.

5.It reinforces rather than adds depth. The image sets the scene visually but doesn’t provide context about local impact, politics, or environmental implications.

6.Yes. An image of community members, oil spills, or protestors would shift the tone—perhaps invoking sympathy, controversy, or local engagement.

7.Other outlets often use charts, maps, or more human-centered imagery (e.g., politicians or local landscapes), while this focuses strictly on the rig itself.

8.Not directly. It reflects industrial development but doesn’t speak to Ghanaian culture or political context. However, it can reflect societal bias by presenting oil development as purely technical or positive.

















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GHANA'S COOPERATION WITH THE FBI: A WIN FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIME-FIGHTING

My New Media Class Experience – Week 3

Today’s Little Victories as a Student