Yaw Sarpong’s ordeal at the hands of Sons, ex-wife

Legendary musician Yaw Sarpong and his pastor, Bishop JY Adu, have narrated the ordeal the musician has endured at the hands of his ex-wife and sons.

Yaw Sarpong addressed recent allegations made by his ex-wife, Adwoa Pinamang, who claimed she was being denied access to care for him and accused his family and Tiwaa, a female vocalist, of conspiring against her.  

Sarpong clarified that their marriage ended 20 years ago when Pinamang abandoned him and their children.

Despite this long separation, Pinamang insists they are still married, as they never officially divorced, and believes she deserves to be treated as his legitimate wife.

In his response, Mr. Sarpong explained that their marriage was never legally formalized, thus it did not require a legal divorce. He detailed that their union involved traditional rites, where he presented a Bible, soft drinks, and a ring.

The veteran musician recounted how Pinamang abandoned him and their children, relocating to Kumasi while he was seriously ill.

Mr. Sarpong also noted that he has had no communication with Pinamang over the past two decades, making her recent claims and efforts to reconnect surprising.

He suspects her renewed interest might be influenced by the recent GH₵100,000 gift he received from Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Mr. Sarpong emphasized that he has moved on but expressed his willingness to resolve any outstanding issues with his ex-wife amicably.

Mr. Sarpong first met Tiwaa in 1976 and promised to recruit her for his yet-to-be-formed Asomafo music band.

In 1981, he went in search of her and traced Tiwaa to a village, and she has remained with him since then.

Tiwaa gave birth to her two children while living with  the musician’s family.

Mr. Sarpong, who has suffered about three major health setbacks in the past two decades, said Tiwaa has been his support through thick and thin.

Tiwaa had earlier explained that she owes Mr. Sarpong gratitude for how far he has brought her and will therefore never abandon him in any situation.

Bishop JY Adu, Founder and Leader of New Jerusalem Chapel in Kumasi, where Sarpong is recuperating, narrated during a church service that Sarpong spent some weeks in a hospital in Accra but doctors could not diagnose the problem.

Bishop Adu sent money for Sarpong to be flown to Kumasi. According to him, Sarpong’s sons took charge of the musician’s phone and withdrew any money people sent to Sarpong. Bishop Adu alleged that over GH₵20,000 transferred to Mr. Sarpong’s phone as payment for a show the musician was billed to perform at was also withdrawn by the sons.

He cited an instance where a policeman, who monthly sends money to Mr. Sarpong, had to call Tiwaa to find out why his contributions had not been acknowledged for over six months. The revelation came as a surprise to Tiwaa, who told the policeman that the phone was with Mr. Sarpong’s sons and that she struggles to raise money to even take the musician to hospital for check-ups.

The policeman, in a conference call with Tiwaa and the musician’s sons, confirmed that the money had not reached Tiwaa.

Bishop Adu said the mobile money number was changed and the church secretary was in possession of the phone and accounted for the monies.

He revealed that Pinamang and her sons once attacked the church secretary and took away some phones. Fortunately, the phones they took did not include the one receiving contributions for Mr. Sarpong.

The secretary lodged a police complaint, leading to their arrest. However, they later pleaded with Mr. Sarpong’s elder brother for an out-of-court settlement of the assault case.

Bishop Adu also revealed that Mr. Sarpong’s sons refused to stay with their father to help carry and move him around as necessary.

Yaw Sarpong emphasized that he has moved on from his past marriage but is willing to resolve any outstanding issues with his ex-wife amicably.

He expressed his gratitude for Tiwaa’s unwavering support throughout the years.