Accra: Evangelist Patricia Asiamah, known widely as Nana Agradaa, has stated that prison, despite its intended purpose as a correctional facility, does not reform individuals. Speaking at her church, Heaven Way Champion International Ministry, on March 29, 2026, Agradaa, who was recently released from prison, shared her belief that the experience rather emboldens people.
According to Ghana Web, Agradaa expressed that when she was initially sentenced to 15 years in prison, she felt it was the end of her life. She recounted that upon leaving the courtroom, when approached by bloggers for a comment, she simply asked them to pray for her. 'Prison doesn't change a person, it only increases your boldness. I said 'tawfiakwa' when the judge sentenced me to 15 years in prison. When bloggers asked me, 'Mama Pat, what do you have to say about your sentencing?' I only told them to pray for me,' she said.
Agradaa regained her freedom on March 3, 2026, after serving nine months in prison, in accordance with Ghana's remission rules that allow release after serving two-thirds of a one-year sentence. Initially, she received a 15-year sentence for defrauding by false pretence and engaging in charlatanic advertisement.
Her conviction originated on July 3, 2025, when an Accra Circuit Court found her guilty on several charges related to a money-doubling scheme she promoted during church services at her Weija-based ministry. She allegedly promised congregants substantial financial returns in exchange for money, promises that were never fulfilled, leading to complaints.
On February 5, 2026, the Amasaman High Court upheld her conviction but deemed the original sentence excessive. Consequently, the court reduced the custodial term to 12 months and imposed a fine of 200 penalty units, approximately GHS2,400.