The Friday, June 21, 2024, edition of Oyerepa FM's Oyerepa Afutuo was a full-blown exposé as the marriage and health issues of renowned gospel musician Yaw Sarpong took center stage on the show.
Yaw Sarpong's wife, Maame Penamang, had reported that her husband's family and associate, Maame Tiwaa, were denying her children and herself access to an ailing Yaw Sarpong, who has been at a church for several months.
Following a myriad of accusations, including infidelity between her husband and his backing vocalist, Maame Tiwaa was called on the program to tell her side of the issues.
She first denied imposing herself as Yaw Sarpong's carer and accused the wife of the gospel artist of refusing a plea by the family to attend to her husband.
"When he was brought to Prophet J. Y. Adu, his elder brother, Mr. Afreh, reached out to Penamang, saying, 'Tiwa has suffered a lot taking care of Wofa Yaw, so I want you to take over.' He said you (Penamang) told him that you cannot come and stay with your husband," she stated.
"There is absolutely no truth to the claim that I am denying her access to care for Bra Yaw. Last week she came here with her children and returned again on Saturday. When they come here, they don't speak to me, let alone greet me. Meanwhile, I am the very person who cleans the room they come to sit in," she added.
She also accused Mrs. Sarpong and her children of seeking to profit from the musician's sickness. According to her, Penamang and the children had appropriated monies meant for the care of the musician, including an amount of GHC20,000.
"His phone has been seized by your eldest son. The money was GHC25,000; GHC20,000 was on the phone, and GHC5,000 was money inside his pocket. His elder brother took the money from his pocket and handed it over to your son, in addition to the one on the phone. Even the money on the phone has become a debt to be settled by Bra Yaw when he gets better because that money was sent to him for the production of cover art for a song we had recorded. You know nothing about the money but have ended up spending it all," she said.
Maame Tiwaa, who flatly rejected having any sexual relationship with Yaw Sarpong, in turn accused Penamang of leaving her husband and moving in with another man in the past.
Amidst accusations and counter-accusations from both parties, the banter turned into an exchange of words, including insults.
"You claim to be his wife, but when Yaw Sarpong returned from Liberia, were you not living with Atta Antwi?" Tiwaa stated while accusing Penamang of infidelity.
"How about you? Everyone in Bohyen knows about you, but today you think you are famous after I helped you... Would you be following him if not for your personal gain? When money comes, you are all over the place. You went to Eddy for keys; how dare you. Do you want my son to sleep outside? Why are you so envious?" Penamang responded.
But in response, Tiwaa retorted, saying, "How are you not envious when you are suddenly all over the place after Bawumia (Vice President) brought him money?"
Yaw Sarpong has been sick for several months and had been receiving treatment at a hospital.
However, he has been at the church of the Founder and leader of the New Jerusalem Chapel, Bishop John Yaw Adu, who claims his condition has improved as a result of his prayers.
Recently, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, visited Yaw Sarpong at the church and made a donation of GH₵100,000 towards his care.
According to Maame Penamang, she is interested in ensuring that the amount is put towards seeking proper medical care for her husband instead of spiritual care.
Watch the exchange between Penamang and Maame Tiwaa from 37:00 of the video below:
GA/KPE
