Ohemaa Mercy has recalled the overwhelming emotions she experienced before receiving an award from former President John Agyekum Kufuor. She admitted that she was so nervous she struggled to believe the honour was meant for her.
The celebrated gospel musician shared the memory during an interview with George Quaye on Joy Prime.
According to Ohemaa Mercy, the invitation to the Castle came at a time when she was still building her career after releasing her third album. Although she knew she had been invited for a special occasion, the significance of the moment only became clear when she arrived.
“Sometime around 2009 or 2012, one award that really encouraged me came after I had released my third album. I was invited to the Castle by President Kufuor. When I was going, I was shivering.
“Being invited to the Castle was something I had never imagined. While I was there, my mother called me and said my name had been mentioned. She told me that President Kufuor had recognised me as one of the best musicians in the country,” she said.
Even after her mother broke the news to her, Ohemaa Mercy remained unconvinced that she was the recipient of the honour. She suspected that her name might have been mentioned by mistake and said it took an announcement from veteran broadcaster Kwame Sefa Kayi to make her realise what was happening.
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She averred: “I thought they had probably made a mistake and mentioned the wrong name. Honestly, I was the last person to pick up my brochure because I still didn’t believe it.
“It was only when I heard Kwame Sefa Kayi talking about it and mentioning my name that it finally sank in. I cried throughout the day.”
She described the experience of being received at the Castle, saluted by soldiers and personally honoured by the former president as a defining moment in her musical journey.
The gospel singer said the memory continues to stand out because of the mixture of disbelief, pride and gratitude she felt that day.
“Honestly, I can’t fully describe how I felt. They were tears of joy. Going to the Castle, seeing soldiers salute me, and then having President Kufuor hold my hand and present me with the award. Jesus Christ is truly amazing,” Ohemaa Mercy stated.
Watch her statement below.
Wow! Ohemaa Mercy recalls how surreal it felt to be invited to the Castle by former President Kufuor to receive her very first awarda truly remarkable milestone in her career
— Joy Prime (@JoyPrimeTV) August 19, 2026
Watch #primetime here: https://t.co/c6qIDUppdX pic.twitter.com/gLxzXtQkSz