The board and media team of the Modern Gospel Awards (MOGA) made a meaningful journey to Begoro last weekend to stand alongside UK-based gospel artist Mercy Ochere during one of the most difficult moments of her life — the funeral of her mother, Obp. Juliana Ama Awiaa Darkwa. Their presence served as a powerful reminder that some organizations go far beyond ceremony when it comes to caring for the people they celebrate.
Mercy Ochere, who has claimed two MOGA honors — Worship Artiste of the Year 2024 and UK-Based Artiste of the Year 2025 — faced the weekend carrying the weight of deep personal loss. However, the arrival of the MOGA delegation transformed what might have been an isolating grief into a shared experience of community and comfort. The team participated fully in the funeral rites across the Friday-to-Sunday period, remaining present throughout.
Leading the delegation were Country Director Nana Amo Baffour, Chief Operations Officer Frank Owusu Asiamah, and Ambassador in Charge of International Nominees Debbielyn Jackson. Together, they offered words of encouragement and consolation to Mercy, her children, and extended family. Notably, her children are themselves award recipients — her son was named Instrumentalist of the Year and her daughter Discovery Artiste of the Year in 2025 — making the MOGA family’s outpouring of support feel all the more personal.
The delegation also made a substantial financial contribution toward funeral expenses and committed to covering any outstanding costs that might follow. The gesture resonated deeply with those in attendance, many of whom expressed surprise and admiration at seeing an awards institution show up so tangibly for one of its own.
What unfolded in Begoro was a quiet but powerful statement about what genuine recognition looks like. The Modern Gospel Awards demonstrated that honoring artists does not end with a trophy on a stage — it extends into the valleys of real life, where presence and compassion matter most.
The Modern Gospel Awards (MOGA) is dedicated to celebrating excellence in gospel music while uplifting artists and communities both locally and across the international stage.
