Ghanaian self-styled spiritualist and televangelist, Patricia Asiedua Oduro Koranteng, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labour after being found guilty of multiple counts of fraud and false pretence.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday, July 3, 2025, by the Accra Circuit Court, marking the end of a high-profile legal battle that began in 2022.
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The Offence
Nana Agradaa was charged and convicted on two counts of defrauding by false pretence and one count of charlatanic advertisement, under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act.
The charges were linked to a widely publicized incident in which she promised to “double money” for followers during a live TV broadcast and church program. According to the prosecution, she invited viewers and congregants to a special all-night service at her Heaven Way Champion International Ministry in Weija, claiming that anyone who gave her money would receive double or more in return through spiritual means.
This event attracted hundreds of individuals—many of whom paid sums ranging from GH₵1,000 to GH₵10,000—believing they would receive miraculous financial returns. Instead, they received nothing, and Nana Agradaa vanished from public view shortly after collecting the money.
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The Court’s Verdict
Presiding Judge Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah did not mince words in delivering the sentence. She described Nana Agradaa’s conduct as “deliberate, deceitful, and exploitative,” aimed at taking advantage of desperate and vulnerable Ghanaians.
The court ruled that her sentence will run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of 15 years behind bars. She was also fined GH₵300 (equivalent to 25 penalty units) for the advertisement offence. Failure to pay this fine would result in an additional 30-day jail term.
The judge emphasized that the harsh sentence was necessary to deter others from engaging in similar scams, especially those who exploit religious beliefs and media platforms.
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How the Scam Was Orchestrated
In October 2022, Nana Agradaa used her personal TV channel, Today TV, and church platform to announce the infamous money-doubling service. Victims reported that they were encouraged to bring large sums of money in exchange for a “spiritual multiplication.”
Several people who attended the service said they were ushered in batches to drop money in envelopes. After making their offerings, they were either sent away or told to come back later for their “doubled” funds — which never materialized.
According to police investigations, six formal complaints were made, but media sources indicated that more than 1,000 people may have been affected, with cumulative losses running into millions of cedis.
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Legal Background
This is not Nana Agradaa’s first run-in with the law. In April 2021, she was arrested for operating TV stations without a license and airing charlatanic content. She was later fined GH₵36,000 by the court.
Despite claims of repentance and converting to Christianity after that arrest, she soon returned to similar activities under the guise of church operations.
During her most recent court appearance, a pregnancy test was conducted as required by Ghanaian law before sentencing female convicts — the test result was negative.
Her lawyer appealed for leniency, describing her as a mother of five children, including a 24-year-old law student and a three-year-old toddler. But the prosecution urged the court to consider the scale of her fraud and her history of similar behavior, calling her a “repeat offender.”
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Public Reaction and Commentary
The case has stirred widespread reaction across Ghana. Many Ghanaians have taken to social media to applaud the court for what they describe as a landmark judgment in the fight against religious fraud and spiritual scams.
Some critics argue that the sentence, though welcome, came too late, while others called for stricter regulation of religious activities and TV broadcasting in the country.
Legal experts have also commended the ruling, saying it underscores the importance of media accountability and protecting citizens from exploitative religious practices.
“This judgment is a wake-up call to society,” said lawyer Kwesi Owusu-Afriyie. “People must verify before trusting spiritual leaders. And leaders must know that the law will catch up with them if they abuse public trust.”
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What’s Next?
Following the sentencing, the court has not ruled out additional investigations into the scale of Agradaa’s past operations. Authorities are considering freezing her assets to recover funds for victims.
Some civil society groups, including Child Rights International and Consumer Protection Agency, are also calling on Parliament to pass stricter laws governing spiritual and miracle-based claims on television and in churches.
