Renowned gospel musician Diana Hopeson has revealed that she endured years of emotional and psychological abuse in a marriage she once believed would be protected by faith.

She made the disclosure at the launch of the 2026 edition of Women of Valour (WoV), held at the residence of the British High Commission in Accra.

According to her, she married at age 21 to a young pastor, confident that their shared Christian beliefs would guarantee a peaceful home. However, she told guests that behind her public image as a celebrated musician, she was living in fear and emotional distress.

“Because we were both strong Christians, I went into the marriage believing it was going to be blissful. In public, I was fine. I would sing and smile. But indoors, it was a different story,” she disclosed, adding that it took her seven years to fully recognise she was in an abusive environment.

Her turning point came after repeated threats that made her realise her safety was at risk.

“I didn’t even know I was living in abuse. Sometimes when you’re in it, you think it’s normal marriage struggles. You keep praying about it and hoping it will change. But it took me years to understand that what I was experiencing was not normal.”

“On our way home, he was upset and said he would allow the car to run into a truck so that we would both die,” she revealed. “All because I had smiled at people who came to greet me. That was when I realised how dangerous the situation had become.”

According to the musician, that moment became her last straw and she realised that if she did not leave, something terrible could happen, so she moved out, saved herself and sought help.

Her testimony aligns with the mission of Women of Valour, founded by award-winning broadcaster Nana Aba Anamoah, which seeks to spotlight women with powerful stories of courage and resilience.

The 2026 edition, themed “The Pursuit of Fearlessness,” will take place on March 7 at 3:00 PM at the London Hilton on Park Lane, bringing together women from diverse backgrounds to share experiences that inspire strength and boldness ahead of International Women’s Day.

Speakers billed for the London event include TV Personality, Nana Ama McBrown, Kate Henshaw, UK trade expert Lesley Batchelor CBE and survivor advocate Debora Shanley.