Cecilia Marfo

Cecilia Marfo is a Ghanaian gospel singer, evangelist and prophetess. Her 2009 album Faithfulness, with the song "Afunumu Ba", made her a national name after years of local fame in Kumasi, and "Afunumu Ba" won Gospel Song of the Year at the 2011 Ghana Music Awards.

Early life

She was born in November 1978 in Bompata, Asafo Nfante Newtown, in Kumasi. Sources differ on the day, giving either 10 or 20 November. Her mother, Sophia Marfo, died on 1 July 2018 at the age of 83. She was active in church from childhood and has said she was not good at school.

Career

The gospel singer Esther Smith heard her sing at a church programme and recommended her to Cebex Music Production. The producer Charles Sarpong backed her during her early years. Her first album was Mere Hwihwe Wo, and she has since released at least eighteen albums, among them Faithfulness (2009), Osoree Nnwom (2013) and Ooh Praise Him (2016).

For much of her early career her records sold mostly in and around Kumasi. That changed with Faithfulness, her ninth album, which carried "Afunumu Ba". Besides Gospel Song of the Year, she has won Gospel Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards. She has released music on I Am Records and Clemce Recordz.

Ministry

She leads the Osorie Fie prayer centre on the Tema-Akosombo road at Mataheko, near Afienya. Her performances often move from singing into prayer and prophecy, which has made her a popular guest at crusades and all-night services. It has also drawn criticism, including a public dispute with the politician Kennedy Agyapong over her healing claims.

Personal life

She is married to Clement Kofi Yeboah Adupedie, and they have three children: two daughters and a son.