Rumours about a romantic relationship between late gospel icons Maame Tiwaa and Yaw Sarpong have circulated for years, fueled by their close friendship and decades-long collaboration.
But Nana Poku Ashis, Yaw Sarpong’s former manager, has firmly dismissed such claims.
In a January 20, 2026, interview with Sammy Kay Media, Ashis described their bond as a profound friendship built over more than thirty years.
“They were just friends who understood each other very well, and they had been friends for over thirty years. When we talk about someone who understands another person well, then it’s Maame Tiwaa, because she understood Yaw Sarpong really well. They were loyal to the core,” he said.
Ashis emphasized that their closeness was rooted in their work in ministry rather than romance. He explained that the two were ministry partners, often performing together and, at one point, sharing a home to make traveling to shows more convenient.
“They never dated and they never got married. They just liked and cared for each other because of the work they were doing. They sang together, so anywhere they went, they went together. To the extent that they even lived in the same house,” Ashis said.
Yaw Sarpong passed away on January 20, 2026, at Emena Hospital in Kumasi while receiving medical care. A trailblazer in Ghanaian gospel music, he led the Asomafo Gospel Band and produced classics that earned him admiration across both the Christian community and the wider music industry.
His death comes less than a month after the passing of Maame Tiwaa, a fellow Asomafo member and close friend, marking a poignant moment for Ghanaian gospel music.
Watch what Ashis said below.
