Yaw Sarpong, one of the most influential figures in Ghana’s gospel music history and a towering force in choral leadership, has died.
His passing was confirmed by his manager, Nana Poku Ashis, according to a Myjoyonline report. Details surrounding the cause of death have not yet been officially released.
The loss has plunged the Asomafo family and the broader gospel community into mourning. It also reopens fresh wounds for the ensemble, which is still grappling with the recent death of Maame Tiwa, a revered and long-serving member whose passing shook the group only weeks ago.
In the years leading up to his death, Yaw Sarpong stepped back from public life as he battled persistent health challenges. While he surfaced occasionally at select events, much of his focus was on medical care and recovery, keeping him largely out of the spotlight he once commanded.
Few names are as deeply woven into the story of Ghanaian gospel music as Yaw Sarpong. Through the founding and leadership of Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo, he played a defining role in shaping Akan gospel, introducing a sound marked by theological clarity, vocal discipline, and carefully structured choral arrangements.
The group’s music stood out for its balance of spiritual depth and musical precision, earning admiration across denominations and influencing church choirs nationwide. Their style not only elevated gospel performance but also reset expectations for composition and choir direction in Ghana.
Classics such as Wo Haw Ne Hwan, Tie Obiaa, Aduro Yesu, and Awurade Kasa have endured for decades, becoming staples in church worship and Christian gatherings across the country.
Yaw Sarpong’s contribution to the genre was formally recognised in 2025 when he received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards, an honour that reflected his enduring impact on the sound, structure, and spiritual character of Ghanaian gospel music.
His death comes just a month after the passing of his longtime band partner, Maame Tiwaa, marking a period of profound loss for Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo and the gospel fraternity at large.
