{
  "id": 7385859,
  "title": "Bernice Offei battled dementia for five years before death, former manager reveals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/bernice-offei-battled-dementia-for-five-years-before-death-former",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-14T19:40:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/bernice-offei-battled-dementia-for-five-years-before-death-former-manager-reveals/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Veteran gospel singer Bernice Offei battled dementia for approximately five years before her death at the age of 63, according to her former manager, Kwasi Ernest. The condition affected the singer's memory and daily abilities, leading to her disappearance and eventual discovery. Kwasi Ernest confirmed her passing in an interview with Max TV, explaining that her dementia had progressed to the point where she became disoriented and struggled to find her way home. The singer left home when the condition triggered, making it challenging for her to locate her residence. After an initial family search proved unsuccessful, her disappearance was made public, and she was later found. Following her discovery, the family rushed her to the hospital, but her condition worsened, resulting in her death on September 12, 2026. Despite her struggle with dementia, Kwasi Ernest praised Bernice Offei's character, describing her as disciplined and deeply religious, whose faith was evident in her daily life. She was not merely a preacher but a woman who lived out her beliefs. Her death has prompted tributes from colleagues and admirers who remembered her significant contributions to Ghana's gospel music industry.",
  "summary": "Veteran gospel singer Bernice Offei had been battling dementia for about five years before her death at age 63, her former manager, Kwasi Ernest, has revealed. According to him, the condition affected the singer’s memory and ability to carry out everyday activities, eventually contributing to the circumstances surrounding her disappearance before she was found. Speaking in an interview on Max TV…",
  "key_points": [
    "Bernice Offei battled dementia for about five years before death",
    "Former manager Kwasi Ernest revealed her condition details",
    "Singer died on September 12, 2026, after hospitalization"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}