Patricia Asiedua Asiamah, popularly known as Nana Agradaa, has broken her silence following her release from prison, recounting what she describes as a deeply spiritual journey sustained by prayer, scripture, and unwavering faith in God.

Speaking after her release on March 3, Nana Agradaa reflected on the fear and uncertainty she felt in custody, admitting that at first, she feared she might not survive the experience.

“On my way to prison, I felt as though I was going there to die,” she said in Twi. “When I got to the prison gate, the only thing I said was, ‘Lord, I surrender myself to You,’ because I did not know what awaited me inside. I asked Him to have mercy on me, held my Bible, and walked in.”

According to Nana Agradaa, hearing that she had been sentenced to 15 years in prison was a moment she struggled to comprehend.

“When they mentioned 15 years, I could not accept it,” she explained. “I kept asking myself, ‘What have I done to deserve this?’ I could not understand why I would spend 15 years in prison.”

Faced with what appeared to be a long and daunting sentence, she said she resolved to depend entirely on prayer and the Word of God.

“At that stage, the only thing that could help me was prayer and the Word of God,” she said. “I thank God, because I had faith that He is able to do all things.”

While in custody, Nana Agradaa said she immersed herself in the Bible, drawing inspiration from accounts of imprisonment and divine deliverance. She cited the story of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles, noting how the apostle was imprisoned but later freed after earnest prayer. She also referred to Paul and Silas, who, according to the same book, were jailed while carrying out God’s work, yet were miraculously released.

“I read about those who were imprisoned because of God’s work,” she said. “I asked myself what brought them freedom, and I realised it was prayer and faith in God.”

She also reflected on the opening verses of the Gospel of John, which speak of the Word existing in the beginning and being with God.

“If God created the heavens and the earth through His Word, then 15 years is nothing before Him,” she said. “If I hold on to that same Word and trust in it, it can also bring me freedom.”

She further drew parallels with the story of Jonah, who, after disobeying God and facing punishment, repented and was shown mercy. She mentioned King Nebuchadnezzar as another biblical figure who, after humbling himself before God, had his kingship restored.

“These stories strengthened my faith,” she said. “When you face problems in life, it is only prayer and the Word of God that can bring deliverance. My faith was firmly grounded in prayer.”

She vowed to God that if He showed her mercy and delivered her, she would dedicate herself fully to His service.

“I told Him, ‘If You are the God yesterday, today and forever, then what You did for Your people in the past, do the same for me now,’” she recounted. “I promised that if He showed me mercy and delivered me, I would dedicate myself completely to His service.”

Her release follows the application of the country’s remission scheme. Under Ghanaian law, eligible inmates may receive a reduction of up to one-third of their sentence on the grounds of good behaviour while in custody.