Ghana mourns rising star Ebony

According to eyewitness reports, Ebony (real name Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng) was in a jeep with other occupants when the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a bus.

Ebony had been touted as a possible winner of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards taking place later in the year because of her resounding success in 2017. She had won a number of awards already, and was top of the list of most played songs in Ghana with ‘Sponsor’.

“No one in the bus was dead or injured but occupants of the Jeep vehicle were hurt,” a witness told a Ghanaian radio station. “The passengers told us the accident involved another car and that a soldier and a small girl were trapped in the vehicle.

“We called fire service from Bechem and when they came they were incapacitated so they relied on their colleagues in Sunyani who managed to open the mangled vehicle before they could retrieve the bodies. I saw her she was the Ebony we know.”

In a video posted online and reportedly recorded just before her death, Ebony, who was to turn 21 in a week, can be seen playing and taking photos with a group of people said to be members of her family.

News of her death sparked an outpour of grief on social media. The official handle of the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo tweeted: "Saddened by the news of the death of the young, but extremely talented female artist Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng, aka Ebony Reigns." Akufo-Addo's predecessor, John Mahama, also expressed sadness. "RIP #Ebony," he wrote. "A talented life cut short. My favourite track on domestic violence and relationships, 'Maame Hwe'."

"This is beyond sad," wrote the singer Becca. "A great talent, free-spirited and ever bubbly girl. May God comfort your family and loved ones. Now everyone sees the good in you cos you’re gone. It’s a shame! To the families of Franky and the soldier, may the Lord hold you strong at this very sad time."

"Rest In Peace Ebony...We love you but God loves you more," wrote Ghanaian footballer Andre Ayew. Michael Dappah, famous for the viral track 'Mans not Hot' said, "My heart & prayers goes out the family of the young queen Ebony who passed in a car crash yesterday. Rest in peace, thank you for your contribution to entertainment." Nigerian rapper MI Abaga tweeted "Rest in peace to ebony_reigns".

Last year's Artist of the Year at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Joe Mettle sent condolences to the deceased's family. "I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Ebony," he posted. "I pray that the Lord comforts them in this hard time. Let’s kindly desist from circulating photos and videos of the incident."

Ebony rose to fame after releasing her first single 'Dancefloor'. She went on to record a number of hit songs including 'Kupe', 'Sponsor' and 'Date Your Father'. Her album, Bonyfied, was released last year in December.