Legendary Seventh-Day Adventist composer and singer, Akuamoah Osei Boateng has died after a short illness.

Osei Boateng, known for composing hit songs such as 'Yesu Ka Woho', Ɔkwantufo' and several others, has had a successful music career spanning over 50 years.

But the hitmaker known to have nurtured and trained several talents in the SDA Church and those outside the church gave up the ghost at the Accident and Emergency Centre of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital on Saturday, April 6, 2024, where he was on admission for about a week.

His brother and head of the Aduana family of Oguaa, Mark Kwabena Adu Agyei confirmed this to Myjoyonline.com.

News of the death of the well-travelled man who founded the Advent Missionaries Group spread like wildfire, especially among members of the SDA Church, his fans, and his immediate family.

Born to Madam Adwoa Oforiwaa and Opanin Akwasi Kwayie of Senkyi and Oguaa respectively, near Effiduase in the Ashanti region, he was born into a Muslim family but converted to the  Seventh-Day Adventist Church in his youthful years.

The trained teacher effectively combined teaching and music in the early stages of his life.

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Education and early life
Born on April 22, 1964, Osei Boateng is the fifth child of his parents, 12 children comprising seven males and five females.

He had his primary and elementary education at Oguua and the Methodist School-all in the Sekyere East District of the Ashanti region.

His grandmother was the brain behind the first-ever Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Oguaa, his hometown.

His mother, a staunch Adventist, was forced to convert to Islam in line with her husband, Agya Kwayie’s new found faith.

Despite pressures from his parents to leave the Adventist Church, Osei Boateng and other siblings remained committed to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, a course he followed till his death.

In his desire to become a teacher, the 'Yesu Ka Woho' and the ‘Anwanwasem Bɛsisi’ hitmaker enrolled at St. Andrews Training College.

After his teaching practice at the Asante Mampong Presbyterian Primary School in 1972 and his successful completion of school, he was posted to the Krobo Primary School to begin his professional teaching career.

With his love for music, he pursued a degree in music at the University of Education Winneba to hone his musical skills after just 3 years in the classroom.

Agona S.D.A Secondary School, St. Louis Training College, Garrison Schools are some of the schools Osei Boateng taught at after the completion of university.

Music career
The late Osei Boateng is not only a professional singer, but also a composer credited with over 600 songs.
He is known for the composition of Highlife, Choral, and Anthems, among others, in Twi and English. In all these, religious music took up a major part of his life as a performer and composer.

For want of better opportunities, he moved to the United States in 1989.

Shocking death
News of the death of the iconic musician and composer spread like wildfire. According to the head of the Aduana family of Oguaa and younger brother of the late Osei Boateng, Mark Kwabena Adu Agyei tells Myjoyonline.com, his brother returned to Ghana in April last year.

All the necessary arrangements had been completed, and he was expected to fly back to the United States in May 2024.

He was first rushed to a private facility at Pankrono near Old Tafo after his health suddenly deteriorated on Wednesday 3rd April, 2024.

Mr. Osei Boateng gave up the ghost at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital on Saturday, April 6, 2024, less than three days after his transfer from the private facility.

“I spoke to my brother on the phone on Tuesday. There were no signs of ill-health in his voice. My brother died on Saturday at exactly 8:10 p.m. I was at his bedside when he passed,” says Mr. Agyei, who expressed shock at his sudden sickness and death.

Music enthusiasts, former students, friends, and the Seventh-Day Adventist fraternity have been reacting to his shocking demise.

“Sorry for the demise of the great musician, Elder Osei-Boateng. May he rest until the resurrection morning. May God console the family,” former President of the Northern Ghana Union of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Kwaning Boakye wrote.

Dr. Hannah Ewoo-Asiem, also an Adventist musician, expressed shock at the news of Mr. Osei Boateng’s death. “I can't believe this. We have really lost a gem in the Ghana SDA music ministry. Agyasei, Yesu Ka Wo Ho even in death. Goodnight until the resurrection morning.OseiBoateng..” She wrote on WhatsApp.

“Oh, what a loss! My teacher is at AGASS. Sir, Nyame Mfa Wo Nsie”. A former student wrote on WhatsApp.

Mr. Osei Boateng is survived by four children and his lovely wife, Vida Asantewaa, who are all domiciled in the United States.