Gospel musician Empress Gifty recently opened up about a difficult experience during her first visit to the United Kingdom, revealing that a fellow gospel artist was responsible for her deportation. In a live social media session, the “Watch Me” singer recounted how she had been invited to the UK by a colleague whose identity she chose not to disclose.
Upon arrival at the UK airport, Empress Gifty said immigration officers questioned her about the purpose of her visit and asked her to contact her host. Despite numerous attempts to reach the individual, both by her and immigration officers throughout the day, the calls went unanswered.
As a result, Empress Gifty was moved to a holding room and later processed for deportation back to Ghana.
Efforts by her ex-husband and Ghana’s then foreign minister, Hannah Tetteh, to intervene were unsuccessful. The authorities declined her request to stay at her hotel, insisting that she could only remain if her host confirmed her visit. Consequently, Empress Gifty’s recently issued two-year visa was revoked, and she was deported the same day.
Empress Gifty explained that her recent trip to the UK was meant to address past criticisms and demonstrate resilience in spite of the ordeal.
Her experience adds to ongoing concerns about sabotage within Ghana’s creative arts sector, where artists have previously spoken about being undermined by their peers.
