Nana Kwaku Bonsam

Nana Kwaku Bonsam is a Ghanaian traditional priest, herbalist, and self-proclaimed witch doctor known for his dramatic claims of cursing football stars. Born Stephen Osei Mensah on August 20, 1973, in Afrancho, his name translates to "devil" in Twi, a ceremonial title he received from a chief for his charitable work. Once a Seventh-day Adventist, he turned to traditional spirituality after surviving a gas explosion at age 19 that left him permanently scarred.

Bonsam operates three shrines in Accra, serving clients from Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. He gained international notoriety in 2014 by claiming to have cursed Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup, and again in 2026 with a similar claim against England captain Harry Kane. The New York Times profiled him twice, calling him a major figure in Ghana who revels in his notoriety. His public persona blends traditional spiritual authority with modern media savvy, making him one of Africa's most recognizable, and controversial, traditionalists. [edit]

Stephen Osei Mensah grew up in Afrancho, a village in Ghana's Ashanti Region, as a devoted Seventh-day Adventist. He attended Akyem Oda Government Primary and Middle Schools, then learned tailoring as a trade. His life shattered in 1992 when a gas explosion burned his face and body severely, requiring extensive medical treatment. The accident left permanent scarring that became his most recognizable feature.

After the explosion, he abandoned Christianity and immersed himself in traditional African spirituality. He studied herbal medicine and spiritual practices, eventually becoming a fetish priest. A chief later bestowed the name Nana Kwaku Bonsam during a festival, honoring his charity work, buying hospital beds and helping the needy. Before his international fame, he lived in New York, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Italy, learning English while in the United States. [edit]

Bonsam established himself as a traditional priest in the 2000s, opening three shrines in Accra where he offers spiritual consultations and herbal healing. His breakthrough to global fame came in 2014 when he claimed to have cursed Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo during the FIFA World Cup. The story spread worldwide, making him a household name in sports and pop culture.

In 2014-2015, he released a self-produced video claiming responsibility for the death of Nigerian pastor TB Joshua through spiritual warfare. The New York Times profiled him twice, first in 2013 during his year-long stay in the Bronx for medical treatment, and again later. During the 2026 World Cup, he claimed to have cursed England captain Harry Kane. When Kane missed a crucial chance against Ghana in the 85th minute, social media erupted. Bonsam later told LBC News the curse was lifted, and Kane scored in subsequent matches. In June 2026, he predicted Cape Verde would eliminate Argentina and that Portugal would win the tournament. He also publicly urged the Ghanaian government to recognize idol worship as an official religion. [edit]

Bonsam cultivates a dual image: a traditional priest in Ghanaian smock and kufi hat at home, and a modern media figure abroad in designer tracksuits. The New York Times described him as a man who "revels in his notoriety," while MARCA calls his World Cup predictions "theatre." He uses self-produced videos, radio, and social media to make dramatic claims, often challenging Christian critics directly. His Facebook page has over 152,000 likes, and his TikTok is active with spiritual content. Fans and skeptics alike are drawn to his audacity, he blends traditional authority with a showman's flair, making him a polarizing but unforgettable figure in African pop culture. [edit]

Nana Kwaku Bonsam operates in a unique niche where traditional spirituality collides with global sports superstition. His reputation as a powerful spiritualist has drawn attention from every continent, yet the iFANN Global Fame Engine currently evaluates him as unranked within its published lists of the world's most famous individuals. He does not hold a placement in the Global Top 1,000 or any specific scope list at this time. Despite lacking a formal numerical ranking, his digital footprint is substantial, with over 254,000 followers on TikTok and significant engagement across Instagram and Facebook. The audience surrounding Bonsam differs sharply from typical celebrity fanbases; there is no organized collective name like 'Bonsamites' or mobilized campaigns for birthday tributes. Instead, his supporters are primarily clients seeking healing, bettors tracking his match predictions, and viewers consuming viral content about his confrontations with football stars. This community engages through social media interactions rather than physical gatherings or ritualistic devotion. The legends driving his fame center on high-stakes claims involving international athletes. Media narratives detail his alleged cursing of Harry Kane during the 2026 World Cup cycle, followed by stories of him lifting that spell to ensure future success. Earlier reports documented his targeting of Cristiano Ronaldo, while later coverage noted a strategic pivot to backing Lionel Messi after an initial prediction regarding Argentina failed. These stories have elevated him from a regional figure to a subject of global debate, often drawing comparisons to Western psychics like Uri Geller. His influence remains tied to these dramatic assertions and the commercial services he offers rather than a traditional pop-culture fandom.[edit]

Born Stephen Osei Mensah on August 20, 1973, Bonsam carries a name translating to 'devil' in Twi, though he argues names in Akan culture do not always dictate character, citing former President Kofi as an example. After surviving a gas explosion at age 19 that left permanent scars, he abandoned Seventh-day Adventism for traditional spirituality. He once lived in the Bronx for a year, donning a black Dolce & Gabbana tracksuit and a 'New York' knit cap while visiting radio stations. He learned English in the United States and admits it is not perfect. Christian critics often face his counter-arguments based on the Bible, specifically how Adam and Eve used leaves for healing. Beyond personal history, Bonsam cultivates a dual image: a priest in traditional Ghanaian smocks at home and a modern figure in designer tracksuits abroad. Legends surrounding him include verified media reports of his curse on England captain Harry Kane ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which he later claimed to lift. Reports also confirm he targeted Cristiano Ronaldo before shifting focus to Lionel Messi following a failed prediction about Argentina. These narratives have turned him into a viral sensation, with outlets comparing his predictive abilities to those of psychic Uri Geller.[edit]

Bonsam has at least one child, a daughter named Jubilee Yaa Bonsam. She graduated from St. Louis Secondary School as the best science student and aims to attend the University of Ghana (Legon) or KNUST. No information about his parents, siblings, or a spouse is publicly available. He was raised in a Seventh-day Adventist household but left the faith after his accident. He currently lives in Ghana, operating his shrines in Accra. [edit]

Bonsam is best known for his claims involving football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. He also claimed spiritual responsibility for the death of Nigerian pastor TB Joshua. In New York, he worked with Ghanaian radio DJ Prince Adomako on advertising. [edit]

No public romantic relationships, marriages, or dating history for Nana Kwaku Bonsam have been documented in credible sources. There are no records of a spouse, partner, engagement, or divorce. As of 2026, his marital status is unknown. [edit]

No verified net worth figure exists for Nana Kwaku Bonsam. As of 2026, his income comes primarily from spiritual consultations and herbal healing services at his three shrines in Accra. He charges fees for rituals, curses, and blessings, with clients from Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. He also earns from media appearances and social media content. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, his net worth in 2026 is estimated around $500 Thousand. He does not appear on celebrity net worth databases, and no property holdings or business ventures have been publicly documented.[edit]